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Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: 15-Minute Easy Meal

  • Author: caroline_hicks
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A quick and rich weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and pasta tossed in a silky garlic-herb butter sauce emulsified with starchy pasta water.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces (340g) penne, fusilli, or fettuccine
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup (120ml) starchy pasta water
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and black pepper. If thick, slice horizontally to create cutlets.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove to a plate and tent with foil.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and light golden, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in reserved pasta water and chicken broth. Stir to scrape up browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened. Stir in dried oregano and thyme.
  6. Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat. If dry, add more pasta water. Stir in half of the parmesan cheese until melted.
  7. Slice chicken and add back to the skillet. Toss gently to coat in sauce.
  8. Remove from heat. Garnish with remaining parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not burn the garlic; keep heat at medium. Use starchy pasta water to emulsify the sauce. Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use GF pasta and adjust pasta water quantity.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate per serving
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 2
  • Sodium: 800
  • Fat: 30
  • Saturated Fat: 18
  • Carbohydrates: 60
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 35

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meals, garlic butter sauce, easy pasta recipe, comfort food

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Find it online: https://eatlure.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-pasta-15-minute-easy-meal/