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Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

What Makes This Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine for Busy Evenings So Good (and So Easy) - Tasty
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A quick and simple chicken linguine dish featuring a rich, savory butter sauce, suitable for busy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound linguine pasta
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it reduce slightly, about 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained linguine and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
  • If you do not have smoked paprika, regular paprika works, but the flavor profile will change.
  • You can add a handful of spinach to the sauce during the last minute of cooking for added vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken linguine, cowboy butter sauce, easy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, creamy chicken pasta

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