Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
A rich and creamy pasta dish with tender chicken and spices, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 340 g fettuccine or pasta of choice
- 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
- Juice of half lemon lemon
Seasonings
- Salt salt to taste
- Pepper 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
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
Cooking the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Stir in the heavy cream and let the mixture simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until it has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combining
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce. Add the lemon juice and chopped parsley, stirring to mix.
Cooking the Pasta
- In a separate pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and add it to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce and chicken.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the pasta is well combined and heated through.
Serving
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
This pasta dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or warm garlic bread on the side. For storage, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze them for longer storage.