Description
A creamy and comforting pasta dish that features golden chicken, buttery sauce, and a sprinkle of herbs, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces Pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
Chicken
- 1 pound Chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons Butter (unsalted recommended) (For better flavor control)
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 1 cup Heavy cream (or 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
- for garnish Fresh parsley (Optional)
Instructions
Cooking 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.
Sautéing 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.
Creating 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.
Adding 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.
Combining 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.
Serving
- 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!
Notes
Salt the pasta water well. Brown the chicken without crowding the pan for better results. Use real grated Parmesan for better melting. Control the heat when adding cream to avoid separating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Italian