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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, savory pasta dish featuring tender, buttery chicken combined with a rich butter and herb sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting yet gourmet meal delights with bold flavors of garlic, paprika, and Parmesan cheese—ideal for family dinners or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Pasta

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz linguine pasta

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, paprika, and thyme. Cook them in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside and let rest before slicing to maintain juiciness.
  2. Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  3. Make the buttery sauce: In the same pan used for the chicken, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add freshly minced garlic and sauté over low heat until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently until it thickens slightly and becomes rich.
  4. Combine cheese and seasonings: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with extra salt, black pepper, and herbs to taste.
  5. Toss pasta and chicken: Add the drained linguine and sliced chicken back into the sauce pan. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and ensure each strand is coated with the buttery sauce.
  6. Finish with fresh parsley: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for color and a fresh herbal note. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
  • Reserve pasta water to blend the sauce for a silky texture.
  • Do not overcook linguine; slightly firm pasta holds sauce better.
  • Cook garlic slowly and gently to avoid bitterness.
  • Add Parmesan cheese off heat to prevent clumping.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine/