Description
A delicious and comforting Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta combines creamy butter sauce, tender chicken, and pasta for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 340 g (12 oz) fettuccine or pasta of choice
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet.
- Stir in heavy cream and let simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce. Add lemon juice and chopped parsley, stirring to mix.
- In a separate pot, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce and chicken.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure well combined and heated through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a low-fat alternative. Use whole grain or gluten-free pasta to make it healthier.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American