Description

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for cozy nights. Featuring tender chicken breast, a rich buttery and garlic-infused cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, it’s a satisfying meal that combines classic Italian seasonings with a hearty twist. Easily customizable for vegan and gluten-free diets, this recipe is a delightful way to enjoy a creamy pasta dinner with bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

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

Chicken

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

Sauce

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)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Garnish

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: 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 for later, then drain the pasta and set it aside in a colander.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast, seasoning it generously with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Sauté Garlic and Onion: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and melt completely. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, sautéing for about 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent and aromatic.
Create the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine smoothly. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until it slightly thickens.
Toss Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss everything together for about 2 minutes, ensuring the pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
Serve: Once well combined and heated through, serve the pasta warm. Top with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

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.
Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
Reserve pasta water helps loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
Fresh parsley garnish adds a burst of color and freshness to the dish.
Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.

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

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta, cozy dinner recipe, stovetop pasta, easy creamy pasta, gluten-free pasta option, dairy-free pasta sauce, weeknight dinner