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Creamy Cowboy Butter Pasta: Your New Go-To Weeknight Dinner

This Creamy Cowboy Butter Pasta combines bold Western flavors with a rich butter sauce for an impressive yet easy weeknight dinner. The dish features tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and spice that comes together in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite shape)
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove 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 remaining smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and dried oregano. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low and whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add the cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
  5. Stir in fresh parsley and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top.

Notes

Reserve pasta water for perfect sauce consistency. Adjust cayenne pepper to taste. Dish stores well for up to 4 days and flavors deepen overnight. Can substitute chicken thighs or use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.