Description

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and rich dish combining tender pan-seared chicken breasts with a luscious garlic-infused creamy butter sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or penne pasta. It’s a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or when you crave a flavorful, hearty pasta dish.

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

Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter (total, 2 tbsp for chicken + 1 tbsp for sauce)
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Additional 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 according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and 2 tsp Italian seasoning. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
Prepare the creamy sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and stir frequently until the sauce thickens slightly, around 3-4 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine chicken and pasta: Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Add the drained pasta and sliced chicken back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated with the sauce.
Serve: Plate the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta while hot. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor.

Notes

Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor in the sauce.
Feel free to swap fettuccine or penne with any pasta of your choice.
Allow the chicken to rest after cooking to retain juices and tenderness.
To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
Parmesan cheese garnish is optional but adds a nice salty depth.

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

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta, skillet chicken pasta, comfort food, easy dinner recipe