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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A hearty, one-pot meal featuring tender chicken in a rich, buttery sauce over pasta, perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups pasta (any short type like penne or rotini)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (like oregano or basil)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about ¼ cup of pasta water.
  2. In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then add them to the pot. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and let it rest before slicing.
  3. Add the remaining butter and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, but do not let the garlic brown.
  4. Add heavy cream, Italian herbs, and reserved pasta water. Stir well and let the sauce simmer to thicken for about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Return the sliced chicken and drained pasta back into the pot. Toss until coated with the creamy sauce.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

For variations, consider adding sautéed vegetables or grated Parmesan cheese. Leftovers can be stored up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta, one-pot meal, family recipe, cowboy butter, easy dinner