Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Introduction
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful pasta dish that combines tender chicken bites with a creamy, buttery sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that feels a bit special.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguine
- 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
- ¾ cup (178.5 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken pieces with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add half of the cowboy butter to the skillet and let it melt. Pour in the heavy cream, then season with 1 teaspoon garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the drained linguine and cooked chicken into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Step 5: Stir in the lemon juice and the remaining cowboy butter to finish the sauce. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Step 6: Serve the linguine garnished with lemon slices and chopped parsley for a bright, fresh touch.
Tips & Variations
- Use grass-fed or high-quality cowboy butter for the best flavor and creaminess.
- For a spicier kick, add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Swap linguine for fettuccine or penne if preferred.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to introduce vegetables and enhance texture.
Storage
Store leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
What is cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is a flavorful compound butter typically made with ingredients like garlic, herbs, spices, and sometimes citrus zest or chili flakes. It adds rich, savory depth to dishes.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and can add extra juiciness and flavor to the dish. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they are cooked through.
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender sautéed chicken bites combined with rich cowboy butter and a zesty touch of lemon. Prepared in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet straightforward to make.
Ingredients
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
Sauce
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons / 57 g) cowboy butter, divided
- 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: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken bites with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add half of the cowboy butter to the skillet with the chicken, allowing it to melt. Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in the garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss everything together to fully coat the pasta in the creamy cowboy butter sauce.
- Finish Dish: Stir in the remaining cowboy butter and the lemon juice for a fresh, tangy finish. Remove from heat. Garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Cook linguine just until al dente to avoid mushy pasta after mixing with sauce.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to taste if you prefer more or less heat.
- Cowboy butter typically includes ingredients like butter, garlic, spices, and herbs; homemade or store-bought both work well.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright flavor and garnish with fresh parsley to add color and freshness.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce the butter slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, stovetop pasta, weeknight dinner, creamy cowboy butter sauce
