Description
Delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta that combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce for a quick and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (choose gluten-free if needed)
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, thawed if frozen
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 cup heavy cream (substitute coconut cream for a vegan option)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium if desired)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan option)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For Garnishing
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add more butter if needed. Sauté minced garlic and diced onion until translucent and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss well to combine and cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Prepare and chop ingredients in advance for quicker cooking.
For extra richness, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pat of butter just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: PASTA
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg