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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta in a large skillet topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A creamy, garlicky one-skillet pasta made with tender chicken breast, buttery garlic sauce, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.
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
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 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
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Instant read meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce becomes too thick.
  5. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until fully coated in the sauce. Cook for 2 more minutes to meld the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top and let it melt into the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Use unsalted butter for better flavor control. Always reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream over medium-low heat.