Description
Delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta that combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce for a quick and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (gluten-free if needed)
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, thawed if frozen
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For the Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free option)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium if desired)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for dairy-free option)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add more butter if needed. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss well to coat everything in the creamy sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
Serve with a fresh side salad or warm garlic bread for a complete meal.
Prep and chop all ingredients ahead of time to make cooking quick and stress-free.
For extra richness, add an additional tablespoon of butter just before serving.
Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg