Description

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe combines simple ingredients like butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning to create a luscious sauce that coats each bite of pasta and chicken, making it a perfect weeknight dinner to satisfy the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Pasta

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta

Sauce and Seasoning

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 until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on pasta type. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Add the drained pasta and sliced chicken back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything gently to ensure the pasta and chicken are well coated with the sauce.
Serve: Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta hot. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning or freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor.

Notes

You can swap fettuccine or penne with any preferred pasta shape.
To make this dish lighter, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less thick.
Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Feel free to add freshly chopped parsley or basil for a fresh touch.
For extra flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the dish before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, cowboy butter chicken, Italian seasoning pasta, quick dinner recipe