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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a quick, creamy, and buttery chicken and pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender chicken cooked in a rich butter sauce with garlic, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese, this comforting meal is easy to customize with veggies or spices and comes together in under 30 minutes for delicious family-friendly dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Dairy

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)

Seasonings & Aromatics

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta while reserving about half a cup of the pasta water.
  3. Make the cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly, and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Combine chicken, pasta, and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the sauce in the skillet, stirring to coat the pieces well. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together, gradually adding reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce consistency. Adjust seasoning with extra smoked paprika or chili flakes if desired.
  5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the pasta for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, buttery Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta!

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic for better flavor and aroma.
  • Cook pasta to al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy when mixed with sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water to help loosen sauce without watering it down.
  • Choose unsalted high-quality butter for the best richness.
  • For a lighter sauce, substitute half the heavy cream with milk or broth and adjust salt accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta, quick chicken pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, one-pan chicken pasta, smoked paprika pasta

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-pasta/