Description

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection, combined with al dente pasta and enveloped in a rich, garlicky butter cream sauce. This easy-to-make dinner hits the spot for cozy weeknights and is perfect for those who love creamy pasta dishes with a hint of rustic, cowboy-inspired flair.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Pasta

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta

Dairy & Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream

Seasonings

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add the pasta, and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté it until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly, and cook until the sauce starts to thicken slightly, approximately 3-5 minutes.
Combine Everything: Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Add the drained pasta and sliced chicken back to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken thoroughly with the sauce.
Serve: Plate the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta generously. Optionally, garnish with additional Italian seasoning or a sprinkle of plant-based cheese for extra flavor and presentation.

Notes

To ensure even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor; garlic powder can be used in a pinch but will alter the sauce’s freshness.
Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To make this dish gluten free, substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Boiling, Sautéing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 610 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 320 mg
Fat: 38 g
Saturated Fat: 22 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken recipe, Italian seasoning pasta, fettuccine chicken dinner, easy creamy pasta