Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces sautéed in butter and combined with pasta simmered in a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic, and Italian seasonings. This easy 30-minute recipe delivers a perfect balance of comforting textures and bold flavors, finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 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 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 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 package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set aside.
- Sauté the 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 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. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent and aromatic, about 3-4 minutes.
- 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 slightly thickened. If the sauce becomes too thick, adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Toss everything to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the creamy sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and allow it to melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- For a lighter alternative, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes quantity to control the spiciness.
- Reserve pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency to your liking.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright color and fresh flavor as garnish.
