Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful

Author: Sara Smith Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings Category: Pasta Cuisine: American Diet: Gluten-Free (with pasta substitute)

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pasta of your choice (penne or fettuccine)
  • 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 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 Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set it aside.
  2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining butter to the skillet. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (3-4 minutes).
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stir to combine, and add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes until thickened; use reserved pasta water to adjust consitency as needed.
  5. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, toss well, and cook for 2 more minutes.
  6. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, allowing it to melt, and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm.

Notes

  1. Freshly grated Parmesan significantly improves flavor. Reserve pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency.