Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy, Creamy and Flavorful

Why make this recipe

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is an easy and delicious dish that combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and pasta in a beautiful way. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or any time you want a comforting meal that tastes amazing. It only takes a little time to prepare, and it’s sure to impress your family or guests!

How to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

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

Directions:

1. Cook the Pasta
   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). Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain it, and set it aside.

2. Sauté Chicken
   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, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. Create the Sauce
   In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes). This step infuses the butter with flavor, making your sauce deliciously aromatic.

4. Add Cream and Broth
   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. If it becomes too thick, use your reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.

5. Combine Pasta and Chicken
   Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken and pasta are coated in the creamy sauce, and let it cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.

6. Serve
   Finally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to add a pop of color. Enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm!

How to serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Serve your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta right out of the skillet for a comforting meal. You can pair it with a simple salad or garlic bread for a complete dinner.

How to store Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. To reheat, just warm it up in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water or broth to revive the creamy sauce.

Tips to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

1. Don’t overcook the pasta: It should be al dente to ensure it holds its shape and doesn’t get mushy in the sauce.
2. Adjust the spice: Feel free to add more or less red pepper flakes depending on your spice preferences.
3. Experiment with veggies: You can toss in some spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added flavor and nutrition.

Variation

You can easily make this dish lighter by substituting the heavy cream with coconut milk. This gives it a different flavor and keeps it creamy without the dairy.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
   Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to fully thaw it first for even cooking.

2. Can I make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta ahead of time?
   Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance, then add the pasta just before serving.

3. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
   Absolutely! The creamy sauce and tender chicken are usually a hit with kids. You can also adjust the spice level to suit their taste.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

An easy and delicious pasta dish that combines tender chicken and a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 600

Ingredients Method Notes

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

Sauce Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons Butter (unsalted is recommended)
• 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 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method

 

Cook the 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). Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain it, and set it aside.

Sauté 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, stirring occasionally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Create 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).

Add Cream and Broth

1. 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.
2. If it becomes too thick, use your reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.

Combine Pasta and Chicken

1. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Toss everything together to coat the chicken and pasta in the creamy sauce, and let it cook for another 2 minutes.

Serve

1. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Don’t overcook the pasta and feel free to add more or less red pepper flakes depending on your spice preferences. You can also add veggies like spinach or bell peppers for added flavor.