Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine for Busy Evenings
A quick and flavorful chicken linguine dish with a rich cowboy butter sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Pasta Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 6 tbsp butter. Add garlic, parsley, and thyme. Sauté until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
- Slice the cooked chicken. Add the drained linguine to the skillet, tossing with the sauce and reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Fold in the sliced chicken.
- Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and extra herbs if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach for variety.
- Use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter option.
- Reheat gently with a splash of broth to maintain the sauce’s texture.
- Avoid freezing the complete dish, as butter sauces do not freeze well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: N/A
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: N/A
- Cholesterol: N/A
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken linguine, easy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, 30 minute meal, quick pasta recipe, chicken linguine, butter sauce