Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine kicks off with bold flavors and a buttery, creamy sauce that coats tender chicken and linguine in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
- Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Add cooked linguine and gently toss until fully coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use a light cream or half-and-half and reduce butter to 2 tablespoons.
- Freshly grated Parmesan yields the best flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Can be made with chicken thighs for richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 40
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 120
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy pasta, garlic butter sauce, 30-minute dinner, weeknight pasta, chicken linguine, easy pasta recipe