Description

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast cooked in a rich, buttery cream sauce with garlic, onions, and Italian seasoning. Perfect for cozy nights, this pasta combines the heartiness of chicken with a luscious sauce and a hint of spice, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. It offers versatile options for various dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free substitutions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 ounces pasta (gluten-free pasta can be substituted)

Chicken and Butter

1 pound chicken breast (plant-based chicken can be used for a vegan option)
4 tablespoons butter (use non-dairy butter for a vegan option)

Vegetables and Aromatics

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion (yellow or white), diced

Liquids and Seasonings

1 cup heavy cream (coconut milk works as a great dairy-free alternative)
1 cup chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian offering)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Toppings

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast can be used for a vegan option)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add your choice of pasta and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside in a colander.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season the diced chicken breast generously with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until the onions turn translucent and fragrant.
Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss everything together for 2 minutes, ensuring the pasta and chicken are well coated.
Serve: Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta warm, topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for garnish.

Notes

Substitute gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
For a vegan version, use plant-based chicken, non-dairy butter, coconut milk instead of cream, vegetable broth, and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan.
Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor and color contrast when garnishing.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: butter chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe, stovetop pasta dish, comfort food pasta, garlic chicken pasta