Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender bites of chicken breast sautéed in butter, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, and enveloped in a flavorful garlic-onion cream sauce enhanced with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. This easy one-skillet meal is elegantly finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for an indulgent yet approachable comfort food experience.
- 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 (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 substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 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 your preferred pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Create the Sauce: Using the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent and aromatic, about 3-4 minutes. This step infuses the butter with flavor to create a rich base for your sauce.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in the heavy cream and low-sodium chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. If the sauce thickens too much, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly, then cook together for 2 more minutes to blend the flavors.
- Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top and allow it to melt into the creamy sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley for color and a fresh touch. Serve warm and enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta!
Notes
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter, dairy-free variation.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt levels.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice tolerance.
- Fresh parsley adds a burst of color and freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
Keywords: Chicken pasta, creamy pasta, cowboy butter chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, one skillet pasta, creamy chicken pasta recipe
