Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich butter and garlic sauce, combined with perfectly al dente linguine and a blend of spices that bring warmth and depth to every bite. This easy-to-make recipe balances juicy chicken, decadent cream, and bright fresh parsley, resulting in a comforting yet sophisticated meal perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Chop the garlic cloves finely and coarsely chop the fresh parsley. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the linguine.
- Cook Linguine: Add the linguine to the boiling salted water and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Place chicken in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Garlic and Spices: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté in the chicken drippings for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in paprika and Italian seasoning if more is needed for added flavor.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir continuously and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Slice the cooked chicken into strips. Add the drained linguine to the sauce in the skillet and toss gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a bright, fresh flavor. Top with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy this creamy, savory meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken briefly with garlic and paprika before cooking.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less thick.
- If preferred, use gluten-free linguine to make this dish gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Cowboy butter chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken recipe, easy chicken pasta, garlic butter chicken linguine
