Description

A creamy and comforting Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta perfect for cozy nights, featuring tender chicken breast cooked in a rich butter and garlic cream sauce, tossed with al dente pasta and topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. This versatile recipe offers substitutions for vegan and gluten-free diets.

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

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

Sauce

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

Garnish

2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

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. Add the diced chicken breast, seasoning it with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
Prepare the sauce: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently for 2 minutes to coat everything evenly.
Serve: Plate the pasta warm, topping with grated Parmesan cheese and a garnish of fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

For a vegan version, substitute plant-based chicken, non-dairy butter, coconut milk for heavy cream, vegetable broth, and nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese.
Gluten-free pasta can be used to make the dish gluten-free.
Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Use fresh parsley for the best flavor, but dried can be substituted if needed.

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

Keywords: Creamy Chicken Pasta, Cowboy Butter Chicken, Comfort Food, Dinner Recipe, Easy Pasta, Creamy Sauce Pasta