Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and tossed with fettuccine in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. Infused with Italian seasoning and a hint of Parmesan, this meal combines hearty flavors with creamy textures for an irresistible pasta experience perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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 and Sauce
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (total, 2 tbsp for chicken, 1 tbsp for sauce)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (additional for garnish)
- Optional: Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes depending on pasta type. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 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 before slicing.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, taking care not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly, around 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken pieces and the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy garlic sauce. Gently toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Italian seasoning and optionally sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor; garlic powder can be used as a substitute in a pinch.
- Feel free to substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- If you want to add some vegetables, sautéed mushrooms or spinach would complement this dish well.
- To make this gluten-free, substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking ensures it stays juicy when sliced.
Keywords: Creamy chicken pasta, garlic butter chicken, Italian seasoning pasta, fettuccine recipe, creamy chicken dinner
