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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A comforting, creamy pasta dish that combines seasoned chicken with a rich garlic-butter cream sauce and Parmesan, perfect for weeknights or serving guests.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 12 ounces Pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
  • 1 pound Chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
Butter and Aromatics
  • 4 tablespoons Butter (unsalted recommended) For better flavor control.
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 medium Onion, diced
Creamy Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Or substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option.
  • 1 cup Chicken broth Low-sodium preferred.
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Adjust to taste.
  • to taste Salt and pepper
Garnish
  • to taste Fresh parsley For garnish (optional).

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (typically 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain it, and set it aside.
Sautéing Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Creating the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  3. Adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water if it becomes too thick.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken and pasta are coated in the creamy sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serving
  1. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Serve hot, topped with additional Parmesan and chopped parsley. Pairs well with a green salad or roasted vegetables. For wine, a crisp Chardonnay or light-bodied Pinot Noir complements the dish nicely.