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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta served in a bowl with herbs and spices

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A simple, creamy pasta dish featuring seared chicken, a buttery garlic sauce, and tender pasta that is perfect for 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, Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz Pasta (dry) A long or short dry pasta that holds sauce well.
Sauce Base
  • 4 tbsp Butter Adds richness and helps brown the chicken.
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced) Flavors the butter and sauce.
  • 1 Onion (finely diced) Adds sweetness and a soft base to the sauce.
Creamy Sauce
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Creates a smooth, creamy sauce.
  • 1 cup Chicken broth Thins the sauce without overpowering.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning Simple herb mix to season the sauce.
  • 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes Adds a mild heat.
Finishing Touches
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated) Thickens the sauce and adds salty umami.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley (chopped) Adds color and light herb flavor.
  • to taste Salt and pepper Basic seasoning to adjust taste.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, reserve one cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Season and sear the chicken until golden and cooked through; remove and set aside.
  3. Add more butter to the skillet, then sauté minced garlic and diced onion until soft and translucent.
Cooking
  1. Pour in the cream and chicken broth, then stir in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes; simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
  2. Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Use reserved pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency.
  3. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Salt the pasta water for best results. Use freshly grated parmesan for better melting. Don't overcook the chicken for tenderness. Simmer gently to prevent cream separation.