Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a delectable and creamy dish that combines tender chicken with a rich, buttery sauce, perfectly enveloping your favorite pasta. This recipe is not only quick to prepare—taking under 30 minutes—but also versatile enough to adapt to your pantry staples or personal taste preferences. Ideal for busy weeknights or special gatherings, this one-pan meal minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor. With its blend of garlic, cream, and a hint of spice, every bite is sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for a lighter option)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add chicken pieces seasoned with salt and pepper; cook until golden brown (6-8 minutes). Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, add remaining butter, sauté garlic and onion until translucent (3-4 minutes).
- Stir in cream and broth; add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken and drained pasta to the skillet; toss to coat in sauce. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve topped with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 370g)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 130mg