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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: Creamy One-Pan Comfort Food

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich creamy butter sauce infused with Cajun spices and garlic in one pan for easy preparation and cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, satisfying the whole family with its comforting combination of creamy sauce and perfectly cooked ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work well)
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of Cajun seasoning. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through (6-8 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to same skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from pan bottom. Add remaining Cajun seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using.
  4. Bring mixture to simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until cheese melts and sauce thickens (2-3 minutes).
  5. Return cooked chicken and drained pasta to skillet. Toss everything together until well coated with sauce. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Finish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded for smoother melting. Don't overcrowd pan when cooking chicken - cook in batches if necessary for better browning. Components can be prepared separately and stored in refrigerator for up to 3 days.