Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful dish combining tender chicken bites, creamy cowboy butter sauce, and perfectly cooked linguine pasta. The savory spices and a hint of lemon make it a comforting yet vibrant meal perfect for a hearty dinner.
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 black 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
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Linguine: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook linguine until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Season chicken bites with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken pieces. Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Cowboy Butter to Chicken: Add half of the cowboy butter (2 tablespoons) to the skillet with the chicken. Cook until the butter is melted and chicken is fully cooked through, about 2-3 more minutes, allowing it to brown nicely.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining cowboy butter (2 tablespoons). Stir in heavy cream, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook and stir the sauce until it is smooth and heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine Dish: Add the cooked linguine and chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly. Stir in lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the linguine and chicken mixture. Garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley and lemon slices for the best garnish flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- To reduce calories, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If cowboy butter is unavailable, a mixture of softened butter, garlic, and herbs can be used as a substitute.
