Description

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to perfection and tossed with fettuccine pasta in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. This easy stovetop recipe combines savory flavors and creamy textures for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

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
Salt for pasta water

Sauce

1 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional, for garnish)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

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, keeping it warm.
Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest.
Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Combine pasta and chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Return the sliced chicken and the drained pasta back to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated with the rich sauce.
Serve and garnish: Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta hot. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning or sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired for added flavor and presentation.

Notes

You can substitute the fettuccine or penne with any pasta of your choice.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
Add fresh parsley or basil for a fresh herbal touch.
The recipe can be doubled for larger groups.
Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.

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

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta, creamy garlic pasta, one pan pasta, stovetop pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta