Description
A fast recipe for creamy chicken pasta with a rich, savory butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, 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. Let it reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and butter. Cook until the butter melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are coated in the sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount based on your preferred spice level.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 150
Keywords: chicken pasta, cowboy butter, quick dinner, creamy pasta, easy weeknight meal