Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken bites cooked in a savory cowboy butter sauce, combined with linguine for a comforting and satisfying meal. The creamy sauce is enhanced with garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes, finished with a hint of lemon and fresh parsley for brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons / 57 g) cowboy butter, divided
Sauce
- ¾ cup (178.5 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Linguine: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the linguine until al dente, following package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken bites with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Add half of the cowboy butter to the skillet and cook the chicken until it is browned and cooked through.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining cowboy butter over medium heat. Stir in the heavy cream, garlic salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook and stir the sauce until all ingredients are fully combined and heated through, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Dish: Add the cooked linguine and chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly. Stir in the lemon juice to add a fresh hint of brightness to the dish.
- Serve: Plate the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine and garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure not to overcook the linguine to keep it perfectly al dente and maintain texture.
- Cowboy butter can be substituted with garlic herb butter if unavailable.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor; bottled lemon juice may alter the taste slightly.
- This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
