Name: Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta for Cozy Nights Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces pasta (gluten-free pasta can be substituted); 1 pound chicken breast (plant-based chicken can be used for a vegan option); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 4 tablespoons butter (use non-dairy butter for a vegan option); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 medium onion (yellow or white, diced); 1 cup heavy cream (coconut milk works as a great dairy-free alternative); 1 cup chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian offering); 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast can be used for a vegan option); 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste); 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (for garnish)

Ingredients

8 ounces pasta (gluten-free pasta can be substituted)

1 pound chicken breast (plant-based chicken can be used for a vegan option)

4 tablespoons butter (use non-dairy butter for a vegan option)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 medium onion (yellow or white)

1 cup heavy cream (coconut milk works as a great dairy-free alternative)

1 cup chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian offering)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast can be used for a vegan option)

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add your choice of pasta and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside in a colander.

Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.

Step 4: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes into the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Gently toss everything together for 2 minutes to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce.

Step 6: Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and garnished with fresh parsley.

Tips & Variations

For a vegan version, substitute chicken with plant-based chicken, butter with non-dairy butter, heavy cream with coconut milk, chicken broth with vegetable broth, and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.

If the sauce is too thick, use some reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.

Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of spice according to your taste.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta?

Yes, feel free to use any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne, fettuccine, or rotini. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.

How do I make this recipe dairy-free?

Replace the butter with non-dairy butter, use coconut milk instead of heavy cream, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth, and swap Parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast. These changes will keep the dish creamy and flavorful.