Description

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a savory garlic-infused buttery cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or penne pasta. A simple yet flavorful recipe that combines the rustic charm of cowboy butter with Italian seasonings for an irresistible weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking chicken)

Pasta

8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Salt (for pasta water)

Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter (total, 2 tbsp for chicken, 1 tbsp for sauce)
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
Extra Italian seasoning or Parmesan cheese for 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 according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Cook the chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large 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 to 7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant but not burnt. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Combine chicken and pasta: Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the sliced chicken and the drained pasta back into the skillet with the creamy garlic sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce.
Serve: Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta hot. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor.

Notes

Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; garlic powder is not recommended for this recipe.
Fettuccine or penne both work well; choose your favorite pasta shape.
Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially the salt and Italian seasoning.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream, but the sauce will be less thick and rich.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy pasta, cowboy butter chicken, garlic butter sauce, fettuccine recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal