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

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe - Creamy One Pan Weeknight Dinner

This cowboy butter chicken pasta combines tender chicken and al dente pasta in a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic and spices. Perfect for weeknights, it delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 30 minutes using one skillet.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb halal chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz pasta (linguine or fettuccine work great)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, parsley, and onion powder. Cook for another minute to bloom the spices.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  4. While preparing the sauce, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet with the cowboy butter sauce. Toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Choose linguine or fettuccine for best sauce adherence. Adjust cayenne pepper to taste sensitivity. Don't overcook chicken breasts. Use fresh herbs to elevate flavor. Can prep chicken and sauce ahead of time.