Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
Introduction
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are cooked to perfection and tossed with pasta in a rich, buttery cream sauce infused with garlic and Italian herbs.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Step 3: Using the same skillet, melt the remaining butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add heavy cream and stir occasionally until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 4: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss gently in the sauce until everything is well coated.
- Step 5: Serve the pasta generously on plates. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning or freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a richer flavor boost.
- Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less thick.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables and texture.
Storage
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, penne or fettuccine work best, but you can also use other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini depending on your preference.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Cook chicken breasts until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the outside is golden brown. The juices should run clear when cut.
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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a rich and velvety garlic butter cream sauce. Tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or penne pasta, it’s a hearty and comforting dish perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Protein
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Butter Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously, cooking the mixture until it slightly thickens to create a creamy sauce.
- Combine: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken slices and the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy chicken pasta generously. Optionally, garnish with extra Italian seasoning or freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add freshly grated Parmesan cheese when tossing pasta with the sauce.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best aromatic flavor.
- Adjust the seasoning at the end to taste, adding more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning as desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, cowboy butter chicken, garlic butter sauce, fettuccine pasta, easy chicken dinner, creamy pasta recipe
