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Delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta topped with fresh herbs and spices.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A quick weeknight meal, this creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is full of garlicky butter and savory chicken, ideal for a comforting dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 12 ounces pasta of your choice (penne or fettuccine recommended)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • to taste Salt and pepper
For Garnish
  • to taste Fresh parsley

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8–10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Sauté Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add diced chicken pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken and set aside.
Create the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté minced garlic and diced onion until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
Add Cream and Broth
  1. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Combine Pasta and Chicken
  1. Return chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly and let cook for 2 more minutes to marry flavors and warm through.
Serve
  1. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top and let it melt into the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Keep the skillet at medium to medium-low once cream is added to prevent the sauce from breaking or curdling. For a dairy-free version, replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free Parmesan.