Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
A comforting dish combining tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta – easy to make and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 12 ounces dried pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
For the chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- Salt to taste Salt
- Black pepper to taste Black pepper
For the sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor.
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option.
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated recommended.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust to taste for desired spice level.
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preparation
- Fill a large pot with water, sprinkle in a pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Add the dried pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta, then set it aside.
Cooking the Chicken
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt.
- Add minced garlic and diced onion, sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stir to combine.
- Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Bringing it Together
- Return the chicken and drained pasta to the skillet, gently toss everything to coat with the creamy sauce.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed; cook for another 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For a complete meal, serve with a light salad and warm bread.