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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta for Cozy Dinner Nights

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken and rich, creamy sauce for a comforting meal in just 40 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil Can substitute with canola or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika Regular paprika works in a pinch
  • to taste Cayenne pepper
For the Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter Can switch to ghee for dairy-free
  • 3 cloves Garlic (fresh, minced) Do not skip
  • 1 cup Chicken broth Vegetable broth as a lighter option
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Half-and-half is a lighter substitute
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated) Dairy-free alternative if needed
For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Fettuccine (or pasta of choice) Can substitute with penne or rigatoni
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped) Optional garnish
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice Fresh juice is best for flavor

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Pot for boiling pasta
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
  1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a mixing bowl.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Lower the heat and sauté minced garlic in unsalted butter for about 1 minute.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, scrape browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream, simmering for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted.
  7. Combine cooked chicken with the sauce and mix in lemon juice and parsley.
  8. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
  9. Add drained pasta to the skillet, mixing until fully coated with the sauce.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For those who prefer milder flavors, consider reducing or omitting the cayenne pepper.

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