Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
A creamy and flavorful pasta dish with tender chicken, butter, and spices that is perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta Fettuccine or penne works great for holding sauce.
Main Protein
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded Shredded cooked chicken absorbs flavors well.
Liquids/Dairy
- 1/2 cup butter Melt in a skillet.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream Avoid adding over high heat to prevent curdling.
Seasoning/Spice Blend
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper Adjust spice levels according to preference.
- salt to taste salt Season to your liking.
- pepper to taste pepper Season to your liking.
Aromatics & Vegetables
- 4 cloves garlic, minced Sauté until fragrant.
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped Save some for garnish.
Optional Finishing Ingredients
- to taste grated Parmesan cheese Sprinkle on top before serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8–10 minutes until al dente.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Cooking
- Stir in shredded chicken, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- Lower the heat and pour in heavy cream. Stir well and allow to simmer for about 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cooked pasta to the creamy chicken mixture. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
- Taste, season with salt and pepper. Stir in chopped parsley, reserving some for garnish.
- Serve in bowls topped with grated Parmesan and additional parsley.
Notes
For a zesty finish, add a squeeze of lemon juice. Customize with seasonal veggies like spinach or bell peppers.