Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and comforting dish combining tender chicken breasts with a rich, buttery garlic sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, delivering indulgent taste with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dairy & Fats
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Produce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Pasta & Grains
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti), cooked al dente
Oils & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prep and Sear the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Create the Cowboy Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add butter and let it melt. Stir in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Cheese and Season: Slowly mix in grated Parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with black pepper and a pinch of cayenne or paprika for added warmth. Mix thoroughly to combine flavors.
- Cook and Combine Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving some pasta water. Add pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the seared chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Fold chicken gently into pasta and sauce mixture. Heat together for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for color and freshness. Serve hot with extra grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing chicken to develop a crispy golden crust.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Use good quality unsalted butter for optimal flavor and texture.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain shape and texture in the sauce.
- Use fresh minced garlic instead of powder for best aroma and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick chicken dinner, buttery garlic sauce pasta, easy weeknight meal