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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, savory, and hearty dish combining tender chicken, rich buttery sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting meal is ideal for family dinners or quick weeknight cooking, delivering bold flavors and rustic charm in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • Chicken breasts or thighs (about 1 lb, boneless and skinless)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter (preferably room temperature)
  • 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta & Garnish

  • 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or herbs, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add butter. Cook the chicken pieces in the hot butter until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
  2. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  3. Make the Butter Sauce: In the same pan used for the chicken, add additional butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over low heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the drained pasta. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
  5. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Remove the pan from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or your favorite herbs over the top for a bright, fresh garnish and a pop of color.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for faster melting and smoother sauce integration.
  • Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy; cook until just done and let it rest briefly before slicing.
  • Reserve pasta water to help loosen and bring silkiness to the sauce.
  • Always grate Parmesan fresh for the best flavor and quality.
  • Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to avoid curdling and maintain a velvety texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, butter sauce pasta, quick pasta recipe, comforting chicken dish, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-pasta/