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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A comforting dish featuring tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
  • 1 pound Chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tablespoons Butter (unsalted is recommended for better flavor control)
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 medium Onion, diced
  • 1 cup Heavy cream (or substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option)
  • 1 cup Chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
  • Fresh parsley (optional) For garnish

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. 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). Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain it, and set it aside.
Sautéing the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Creating the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes) to infuse the butter with flavor.
  2. 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 it thickens slightly. If it becomes too thick, use your reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.
Combining the Ingredients
  1. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Toss everything together and let it cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serving
  1. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat with a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creaminess. Use low-sodium chicken broth for better control over saltiness. Adjust red pepper flakes to taste.