Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
This Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is the ultimate quick and delicious weeknight dinner! Tender chicken and pasta are tossed in a rich, creamy, garlicky butter sauce with a hint of spice. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a restaurant-quality meal that's perfect for busy families. For another delicious creamy chicken pasta, try our Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 600kcal
Equipment
- Large Skillet For cooking chicken and making sauce.
- Large Pot For cooking pasta.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter. Add garlic and onion; sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
- Return chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
Pro Tips: Reserve pasta water – it's the secret to a silky, cohesive sauce. Cook pasta al dente. Sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant for the best flavor base. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt (add yogurt off the heat). Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference. This dish is easily customizable – add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.