Go Back

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A creamy and quick pasta dish made with chicken, butter, garlic, and heavy cream, perfect for meal prep and lighter versions.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

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 for better flavor control
  • 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
 

Cooking 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.
Sautéing 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.
Creating 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).
  2. 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 Ingredients
  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 ensure the chicken and pasta are coated in the creamy sauce, and let it cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serving
  1. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and let it melt into the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce. For longer storage, freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.