Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish combining tender chicken breasts, a luscious buttery sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a comforting yet gourmet meal that is simple to prepare and customizable to various dietary preferences.
- Author: James
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free pasta)
Proteins
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dairy
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Produce & Herbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Pantry Items & Spices
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a touch of butter or oil, and cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from pan and let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving about half a cup of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned. Slowly stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add grated Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper, and whisk continuously until sauce thickens to creamy consistency.
- Combine and Finish: Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the butter sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until desired silkiness is reached. Finish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
- Use real, quality butter for richer flavor and depth.
- Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness and ensure it holds sauce well.
- Keep sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent curdling.
- Use fresh garlic for the best aromatic flavor; avoid pre-minced garlic.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, buttery chicken pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, comfort food, creamy pasta sauce