Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy and savory dish with tender chicken, garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs, all tossed with pasta for a rich and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- Pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine) – 12 ounces
- Chicken breast – 1 pound, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Butter – 4 tablespoons (unsalted is recommended for better flavor control)
- Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
- Onion – 1 medium, diced
- Heavy cream – 1 cup (or substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option)
- Chicken broth – 1 cup (low-sodium preferred)
- Parmesan cheese – 1 cup, grated
- Italian seasoning – 1 tablespoon
- Red pepper flakes – 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- Fresh parsley – for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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.
2. 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.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes). This step infuses the butter with flavor, making your sauce deliciously aromatic.
4. 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.
5. 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 to ensure the chicken and pasta are coated in the creamy sauce, and let it cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. Finally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to add a pop of color. Enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm!
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated on the stove with a splash of cream or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg