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cowboy-butter-chicken-pasta-recipe--easy--creamy-and-flavorful---k-popkitchen_feature

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: Creamy One-Pan Dinner Perfection

Get ready for a flavor explosion with this irresistible cowboy butter chicken pasta! This easy one-pan dinner combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy garlic butter sauce with just the right amount of spice.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 625
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz pasta (penne, bowtie, or your favorite shape)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in paprika, cayenne, oregano, and dried parsley. Cook for another 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese until smooth. Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet, tossing to coat everything in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced for maximum flavor. Don't skip blooming the spices in the butter - this step releases their essential oils. Always reserve some pasta water - the starchy water helps the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta.