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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta with herbs and spices, garnished for presentation

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A quick, creamy pasta dish with golden seared chicken and a rich garlic cream sauce, ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta (use your favorite shape)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente following the package directions. Drain and set aside, saving a small cup of the pasta water for the sauce if needed.
  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter until foamy. Add the chicken and cook for about 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until the exterior is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Making the Sauce
  1. Lower the heat to medium-low and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 to 45 seconds; do not let it brown.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and stir, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it reduce slightly for about 2 to 3 minutes, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
  3. If the sauce gets too thick, loosen with a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Combining
  1. Slice the rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet and toss gently to coat everything in the cream sauce. Heat for about a minute to bring everything together.
  2. Serve hot and sprinkle extra Italian seasoning or grated Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 45gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g

Notes

For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half plus a tablespoon of cream cheese. You can also swap penne for rigatoni or fusilli for better sauce cling. Add red pepper flakes or fresh parsley for extra flavor.

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