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To make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, gather these ingredients: - 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta - 2 chicken breasts, cubed - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference) - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup chicken broth - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup spinach, roughly chopped - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) - Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving) If you have dietary needs, try these swaps: - Pasta: Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option. - Chicken: Swap chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different protein. - Butter: Use olive oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free version. - Cream: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free choice. - Spinach: Kale or arugula works great in place of spinach. For the best flavor, pick fresh ingredients: - Chicken: Choose organic or free-range chicken for better taste. - Pasta: Look for high-quality pasta brands that use durum wheat. - Vegetables: Buy local, seasonal produce for freshness. - Spices: Fresh spices enhance flavor. Check expiration dates. - Dairy: Use fresh butter and cheese for richer taste. These tips help ensure your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta shines on the plate. For the full recipe, check the detailed instructions. 1. Cook the Pasta: Start by filling a large pot with salted water. Bring it to a boil. Add 8 oz of fettuccine or penne pasta. Cook until al dente, as per the package instructions. Drain the pasta and keep ½ cup of the pasta water for later. 2. Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add 2 cubed chicken breasts. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Take the chicken out and set aside. 3. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. 4. Add Cream and Vegetables: Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens. Toss in 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup of chopped spinach. Cook until the tomatoes soften and the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes. 5. Combine Everything: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Mix well. Stir in the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until well coated. Cook for another minute or two to heat through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. 6. Serve: Plate the pasta. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top. Grate Parmesan cheese over each serving. - Prep Time: 10 minutes - Cook Time: 20 minutes - Total Time: 30 minutes - Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. - Don't overcook the pasta; it should be al dente for a nice bite. - Reserve pasta water helps to adjust the sauce thickness. - Add spinach last; it wilts quickly and keeps its bright color. - Use high-quality butter for rich taste. To make the Cowboy Butter sauce shine, follow these tips: - Use fresh garlic. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor. Mince it just before cooking. - Control the heat. Keep the heat at medium to avoid burning the butter and garlic. - Simmer gently. Let the sauce simmer slowly. This helps the flavors blend well. - Adjust creaminess. If you want a richer sauce, add a bit more heavy cream. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure a tasty meal: - Overcooking the pasta. Cook it just until al dente. This keeps it firm and prevents mushiness. - Not seasoning enough. Make sure to season the chicken and sauce well with salt and pepper. - Skipping the pasta water. The reserved pasta water helps the sauce cling to the noodles. - Rushing the sauce. Let it simmer long enough to thicken and develop flavors. Pair your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta for a delightful meal: - Serve with garlic bread. It complements the butter sauce and adds crunch. - Add a side salad. A fresh salad balances the richness of the pasta. - Try a white wine. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc enhances the flavors of the dish. - Garnish with herbs. Fresh parsley not only adds color but also freshens the taste. For the complete Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta recipe, check the Full Recipe. Enjoy making this flavorful dinner delight! {{image_2}} You can easily switch proteins in this dish. Shrimp adds a nice twist. Cook it in the same way as chicken. Just be careful not to overcook shrimp; it cooks fast! Tofu is another great option. Use firm tofu, and pan-fry it to get a crispy edge. Both options keep the dish flavorful and fun. While fettuccine or penne works best, you can try other pastas too. Bowtie pasta, or farfalle, looks pretty on the plate. Rotini holds sauce well, making each bite tasty. Spaghetti is classic and always a hit. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite! To make this dish vegan, swap chicken for chickpeas or lentils. Use a plant-based cream for the sauce. For gluten-free, choose gluten-free pasta. Both changes keep the flavors intact. You won't miss the meat or gluten at all! Enjoy these twists on a classic dish. To keep your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down to room temperature first. This helps prevent condensation inside the container. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to enjoy it later, freezing is also an option. When reheating, I recommend using the stove instead of the microwave. Place the pasta in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to help restore moisture. Stir gently until heated through. This method keeps the sauce creamy and tasty. Avoid high heat, as it can dry out the dish. If you plan to freeze your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, do so within two days of cooking. Use a freezer-safe container and leave some space for expansion. It can last for up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. This helps maintain the best flavor and texture. For the full recipe, check out the complete cooking instructions above. Cowboy Butter is a rich, flavorful sauce that combines butter with spices. It adds a creamy, savory taste to the pasta. The blend of garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper gives the sauce a kick. This sauce coats the chicken and pasta, making every bite delicious. Using this sauce in the Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta brings warmth and depth to the dish. It makes the meal feel cozy and satisfying. Yes, you can prepare Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta ahead of time. Cook the pasta and chicken, then mix them with the sauce. Store everything in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When ready to eat, reheat it slowly on the stove or in the microwave. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or cream to keep it creamy. Making it ahead saves time and makes dinner quick and easy. Great sides for Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta include: - Garlic bread - Steamed broccoli - Caesar salad - Grilled corn on the cob - Roasted asparagus These sides add color and crunch to your meal. They also balance the rich flavors of the pasta. You can mix and match these sides to suit your taste. Enjoy your meal! For the Full Recipe, check the details above. In this post, we explored how to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta. We covered every detail, from ingredients to cooking steps. I shared tips to avoid common mistakes and offered ways to adapt the dish for different diets. Cooking can be fun and rewarding. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can create a delicious meal. Enjoy your cooking journey, and know that your efforts will pay off with great taste! Keep experimenting and sharing this dish with others.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

Looking for a delicious dinner idea? Try Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta! This flavorful dish combines tender chicken, rich creamy sauce, and pasta for an unforgettable meal. Easy to make with simple ingredients, you'll have a tasty dinner ready in no time. Perfect for cooks of all levels, this recipe comes with tips, variations, and serving suggestions. Click through to explore the full recipe and make this delightful dinner treat for your family tonight!
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Ingredients
  

8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta

2 chicken breasts, cubed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup spinach, roughly chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.

    Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the cubed chicken breasts, and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

      Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.

        Add Cream and Vegetables: Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and chopped spinach, cooking until the tomatoes are slightly softened and the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.

          Combine Everything: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and mix well. Stir in the cooked pasta and the reserved pasta water to combine. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce. Cook for another minute or two to heat through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

            Serve: Plate the pasta, sprinkle fresh parsley on top, and grate Parmesan cheese over each serving.

              - Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4