Introduction

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, garlicky cream sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, it pairs well with fettuccine or penne pasta for an easy yet impressive dinner.

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

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 salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let rest.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 4: Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently in the creamy sauce until everything is well coated.
Step 5: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Italian seasoning or Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips & Variations

For added flavor, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or basil on top before serving.
Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra veggies and texture.
Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free version of this dish.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and may add extra juiciness and flavor. Adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they are cooked through.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or oil and use coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative to keep the sauce creamy without dairy.

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 123 reviews

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and tossed with fettuccine pasta in a luscious butter and garlic cream sauce. This hearty recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal that comes together quickly with simple ingredients.

Author: Nora
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 and Seasoning

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
2 tsp Italian seasoning

Pasta

8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Salted water for cooking pasta

Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided: 2 tbsp for cooking chicken, 1 tbsp for sauce)
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream

Optional Garnishes

Extra Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
Cook Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Meanwhile, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Remove from the skillet and allow to rest for a few minutes.
Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Combine: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken and drained pasta back into the skillet with the creamy butter sauce. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated in the sauce.
Serve: Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta hot. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
Feel free to use penne or any pasta shape you prefer; fettuccine works best to hold the creamy sauce.
Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking helps retain its juices and keep it tender.
Adding fresh herbs like parsley or basil as garnish can brighten the dish.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor if choosing to garnish.

Keywords: Creamy Chicken Pasta, Butter Chicken Pasta, Easy Dinner Recipe, Cream Sauce Pasta, Stovetop Chicken Pasta, Italian Seasoning Chicken