Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a quick and easy one-pan meal combining tender chicken breast, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. This flavorful dish is perfect for a comforting family dinner and comes together in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. This helps develop a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Toss thoroughly to coat the chicken and pasta in the creamy sauce. Allow it to cook together for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm for the best taste.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to better control the salt level in the dish.
- You can substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter, dairy-free variation.
- Reserve pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor but is optional.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Easy Chicken Pasta, One-Pan Dinner, Chicken Alfredo Variation, Quick Weeknight Meal