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A steaming bowl of Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: Easy Recipes for Quick Dinners & Healthy Meal Prep Ideas topped with fresh herbs and a rich savory sauce serves as a perfect example of a delicious weeknight meal.

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Experience the ultimate 1-pot comfort meal that combines tender chicken with a velvety, herb-infused butter sauce. This restaurant-quality dish is designed for busy weeknights, delivering bold, rustic flavors in under thirty minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American/Western
Calories: 680
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
  • 1/2 cup high-quality unsalted grass-fed butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt for seasoning chicken
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper for seasoning chicken
  • Optional: 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes for heat
  • Reserved pasta water approx. 1/2 cup

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. In the same large pot or deep skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear until golden brown and fully cooked through.
  3. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining butter to the pan. Once melted, stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh parsley, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Whisk in the heavy cream and lemon juice, allowing the mixture to simmer for 2 minutes until it begins to thicken.
  6. Return the chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing thoroughly to coat.
  7. Add small splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
  8. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and smooth; serve immediately.

Notes

For optimal sauce texture, always grate your own Parmesan cheese to avoid the anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded varieties. If you wish to make this a healthier meal prep option, stir in two cups of fresh baby spinach at the very end until just wilted. To store, let the pasta cool completely before portioning into airtight containers; to reheat, add a small splash of water or cream to revive the sauce.