Description
A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring chicken in a spiced butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta.
- Toss everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breast.
- Use your favorite short pasta shape.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 150
Keywords: cowboy butter, chicken pasta, creamy chicken, spicy pasta, one-pan pasta