Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a quick and creamy one-pan dish that combines tender chicken breast with a rich garlic butter sauce, Italian herbs, and parmesan cheese, tossed with your favorite pasta. This easy, flavorful recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that delivers hearty satisfaction with a touch of spice from red pepper flakes.
- 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
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce
- 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 grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (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. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes, allowing the butter to become aromatic.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Adjust the consistency using reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken along with the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat everything in the creamy sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to better control the salt levels in the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and fresh flavor as a garnish.
Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy pasta, cowboy butter chicken, easy dinner, Italian seasoning, garlic butter sauce, weeknight meal
