Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a delightful one-skillet meal combining tender, seasoned chicken breasts with fettuccine pasta enveloped in a rich, buttery garlic cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this dish blends simple ingredients to create a hearty and satisfying pasta experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (for additional garnish, optional)
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, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside while preparing the chicken and sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, optionally garnished with extra Italian seasoning or freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts of even thickness for more uniform cooking.
- To lighten the dish, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though sauce may be less thick.
- Fresh garlic provides the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Pasta choice is flexible; penne or fettuccine works best to hold the creamy sauce.
- Leftover pasta is best reheated gently to prevent the sauce from separating.
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta, creamy garlic sauce, chicken fettuccine, easy weeknight dinner, Italian seasoning pasta
