Go Back
Plate of Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta garnished with herbs

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A comforting, creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, garlic, and a rich buttery sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Comfort Food
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650 kcal

Ingrédients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 pieces chicken fillets, diced
  • 8 oz pasta of choice (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Start by gathering all your ingredients. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic. Boil water in a large pot for the pasta while you get everything else ready.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a bit of the pasta water just in case.
  • In a large skillet, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to foam slightly, which indicates that it’s hot enough for the next step.
  • Add the minced garlic to the melted butter. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown as it can turn bitter.
  • Stir in the diced chicken fillets, cooking them until they are no longer pink inside. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to season with salt and pepper during cooking.
  • Once the chicken is fully cooked, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until the cheese melts and the sauce begins to thicken, around 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
  • Add the paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed. The sauce should be creamy and a little less thick than your desired sauce consistency.
  • Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the creamy chicken mixture. For an extra touch, add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce needs thinning. Mix everything together gently until well combined.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. For gluten-free, choose gluten-free pasta. This dish can be easily customized to fit dietary restrictions.
Keyword Chicken Pasta, Comfort food, Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, Creamy Pasta, quick dinner