Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is an easy, creamy, and flavorful dish combining tender chicken pieces sautéed in buttery garlic sauce with a rich, cheesy cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This comforting recipe blends savory Italian seasoning and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes for a delicious, satisfying meal perfect for any 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
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta of your choice (penne or fettuccine recommended)
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 for lighter option)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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 package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Create the Sauce: Using the same skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes, infusing the butter with flavor.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. If too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return cooked chicken and drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Toss to coat everything evenly and cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors together.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish and allow it to melt. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta!
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter, dairy-free alternative.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water is helpful to adjust sauce thickness and help it cling to pasta.
- Use unsalted butter for better control over saltiness in the dish.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a nice color and fresh flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, buttery chicken pasta, Italian inspired pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, weeknight dinner
