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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring a creamy butter sauce and tender chicken, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
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 recommended) Use unsalted butter 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 Use freshly grated for better melting and flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Adjust to taste.
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • for garnish Fresh parsley Optional.

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (typically 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Sauté Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken 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, and let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Combine Pasta and Chicken
  1. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed and toss everything together. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
Serve
  1. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a splash of liquid before reheating to prevent drying out. Alternatively, you can freeze for up to 2 months.