Description

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed in butter and Italian seasoning, combined with al dente pasta tossed in a luscious garlic-infused heavy cream sauce. This easy one-skillet recipe delivers a deliciously creamy and flavorful meal 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 (divided)
2 tbsp unsalted butter

Pasta

8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Salt (for boiling water)

Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter (total, including chicken cooking butter)
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream

Optional Garnish

Extra Italian seasoning
Grated Parmesan cheese

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 according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Cook the chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly, approximately 3-4 minutes.
Combine chicken and pasta: Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken and the drained pasta back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
Serve: Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta hot. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning or grated Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor.

Notes

Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor in the sauce.
Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less creamy.
Ensure chicken is cooked through to avoid any food safety risks.
Parmesan cheese is optional but enhances the flavor profile.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

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

Keywords: butter chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, fettuccine chicken recipe, easy chicken pasta, stovetop chicken pasta