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Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine for Busy Evenings

A close-up of delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, topped with sliced chicken breast, grated parmesan, and fresh parsley.
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A quick and flavorful chicken linguine dish featuring a rich cowboy butter sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz linguine pasta
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and optional red pepper flakes.
  2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Sear chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Boil linguine in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 6 tbsp butter. Add garlic, parsley, and thyme. Sauté until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
  5. Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Slice the cooked chicken. Add the drained linguine to the skillet and toss with the sauce and reserved pasta water until the sauce coats the pasta to your desired consistency. Fold in the sliced chicken.
  7. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and extra herbs if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
  • Add sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach for variation.
  • Use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter sauce.
  • Reheat gently with a splash of broth to maintain the sauce texture.
  • Avoid freezing the finished dish, as butter sauces do not freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, easy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, quick pasta recipe, garlic butter sauce, herb pasta, American cuisine

Find it online: https://www.meltitclean.com/easy-cowboy-butter-chicken-lingui/