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cowboy-butter-chicken-pasta-recipe--easy--creamy-and-flavorful---k-popkitchen_feature

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta - Easy Creamy One-Pan Dinner Recipe

This cowboy butter chicken pasta is the ultimate weeknight dinner that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy butter sauce with just the right amount of spice. Everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup a breeze while delivering restaurant-quality flavor your whole family will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite shape)
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This adds incredible flavor to your sauce.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, and onion powder. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy cowboy butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Customize spice level by adjusting cayenne pepper. Use reserved pasta water to thin sauce if needed. Dish reheats well for leftovers.