Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

Introduction

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and comforting dish that combines tender chicken with a creamy, flavorful sauce tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. With a hint of garlic, paprika, and fresh parsley, it’s a delicious meal that’s simple enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.

Ingredients

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cloves fresh garlic
• 8 oz linguine pasta
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup fresh parsley
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Chop the garlic and parsley. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the linguine.
2. Step 2: Cook the linguine in the boiling water until al dente. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.
3. Step 3: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream and add the remaining butter. Stir and simmer until the sauce slightly thickens.
6. Step 6: Slice the cooked chicken and return to the skillet. Add the drained linguine and toss well to coat in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
7. Step 7: Stir in the fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with paprika and Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to enhance the sauce with additional depth.
• Substitute linguine with fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and safety.

Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?

You can substitute butter with olive oil and use coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative, but the flavor and texture will vary slightly from the original recipe.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 69 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning, tossed in a luscious butter and cream sauce, then combined with perfectly al dente linguine and topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. This hearty yet comforting recipe is ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

• Author: Sophie
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasoning

• 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta

• 8 oz linguine pasta

Sauce

• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients and Boil Pasta Water: Chop the garlic and parsley finely. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil in preparation for cooking the linguine.
2. Cook Linguine: Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
3. Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat half of the butter (2 tbsp) in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook them in the skillet until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
4. Sauté Garlic and Spices: Once the chicken is cooked, reduce heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning to the skillet and sauté until the garlic is fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
5. Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly, coating the chicken nicely.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Drain the linguine and add it to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss everything to combine well, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
7. Add Finishing Touches: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese until well mixed. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• For best results, use fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness to your preference.
• Chicken breasts can be pounded to even thickness for quicker cooking.
• Leftover dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Optionally garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan for presentation.

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe, skillet chicken linguine, garlic butter chicken pasta