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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A creamy and flavorful one-pan pasta dish featuring tender chicken enveloped in a rich buttery sauce, perfect for a family-friendly dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Calories: 730
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine)
  • 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or substitute with coconut milk for a lighter option)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 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. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes), reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Sautéing the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
  2. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter. Sauté garlic and onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. Stir in the cream and chicken broth along with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Return the chicken and drained pasta to the skillet, adjust seasoning, and toss to coat in the sauce.
  2. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Serving
  1. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the garlic for maximum flavor. Serve with a light salad or crusty garlic bread for added crunch.