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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

This creamy, one-pan Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious dish that will have your taste buds celebrating. With tender chicken, flavorful sauce, and pasta, it's perfect for a cozy dinner night.
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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
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 12 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fettuccine) Feel free to choose any pasta that you like.
  • 1 pound chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces Make sure the chicken is cut evenly for even cooking.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Divided into two portions for cooking.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Toasting adds a richer flavor.
  • 1 medium onion, diced Sauté until translucent.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with coconut milk for a lighter option.
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred) Adjust the amount based on desired consistency.
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Can be replaced with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust according to taste.
  • to taste Salt and pepper For seasoning.
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) Adds color and freshness.

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Sauté Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Create the Sauce
  1. Using the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic and diced onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. Stir in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Toss in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Combine Pasta and Chicken
  1. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and toss everything to coat in the sauce. Let it cook for an extra 2 minutes.
Serve
  1. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for about 3 months.