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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta in a skillet with Parmesan and fresh parsley garnish

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a creamy, garlicky one-pan dinner with tender chicken, herb butter sauce, and Parmesan tossed with pasta and ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta penne or fettuccine recommended
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided - 2 tbsp for chicken, 2 tbsp for sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk for lighter option
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated for best melt
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through with no pink remaining. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and diced onion. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer on medium-low for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
  5. Return cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat fully. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Remove from heat. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the top and let melt for 30 seconds. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Use unsalted butter for better flavor control. Reserve pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed. Always add Parmesan off heat for the smoothest finish. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream.