Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast sautéed in butter and garlic, combined with pasta and a rich sauce made from heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. This comforting and easy-to-make recipe delivers a perfect blend of savory flavors with a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
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 coconut milk as a lighter substitute)
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (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 the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken 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 well. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- 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 together to coat well and cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish and allow it to melt. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the dish more precisely.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed for a creamier texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to suit your preferred level of spiciness.
- Fresh parsley adds a colorful and fresh garnish but is optional.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, creamy chicken recipe
