Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with al dente pasta and a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. It’s an easy yet indulgent one-pan dish perfect for comforting weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking chicken)
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- Salt for pasta water
Sauce
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Optional garnish: extra Italian seasoning or grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side or until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove chicken from skillet and let it rest briefly.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes being careful not to burn. Pour in the heavy cream and stir constantly until the sauce slightly thickens, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy garlic sauce. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly in the sauce and warm through for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta hot. Garnish with additional Italian seasoning or grated Parmesan cheese if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts of similar size for even cooking.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- If you prefer, you can use different pasta shapes such as penne or linguine.
- Adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives can enhance freshness and color.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid sogginess after tossing with sauce.
Keywords: chicken pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta, garlic butter chicken, easy dinner recipe, one-pan pasta
