Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender pieces of chicken sautéed in rich butter and garlic, combined with a creamy parmesan sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. This hearty meal blends Italian seasoning and a touch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, making it an easy yet impressive weeknight dinner.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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, 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 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- 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, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then set pasta aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. 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, about 3-4 minutes, to infuse the butter with rich flavor.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add 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, use reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and allow it to melt into the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Unsalted butter is recommended to better control the saltiness of the dish.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, cowboy butter pasta, easy dinner recipe, skillet chicken pasta, creamy garlic pasta