why make this recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a delightful and flavorful dish that combines savory chicken with a rich, buttery sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a weekend gathering. This recipe is straightforward, making it suitable for both beginner and seasoned cooks. The combination of spices and fresh herbs enhances the taste, while the pasta brings everything together. Plus, it’s a one-pan meal that minimizes clean-up!
how to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Ingredients:
- 2 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 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
Directions:
Prepare the Chicken:
Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Heat some butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken and let it rest.
Cook the Pasta:
In the same skillet, add the linguine pasta and enough water to boil it. Cook according to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
In the same skillet, lower the heat and add more butter, followed by the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), parsley, thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Combine the Pasta and Chicken:
Slice the chicken and add it back to the skillet along with the cooked linguine. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce.
Serve and Garnish:
Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine hot. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
how to serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
This dish is best served warm. Plate the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine generously and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. You can also add a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
how to store Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The dish will keep well for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
tips to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried ones, but use about one-third of the amount.
variation
You can add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers to the dish for added color and nutrition. Simply sauté them with the garlic before adding the chicken broth.
FAQs
1. Can I use shrimp instead of chicken?
Yes, shrimp can be a delicious alternative! Cook them until they are pink and firm, similar to how you would cook the chicken.
2. What can I use if I don’t have linguine?
Any pasta type can work, like spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. Adjust cooking times based on the pasta you choose.
3. Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! You can use dairy-free butter and skip the Parmesan cheese for a tasty, dairy-free version.
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- ½ cup unsalted butter Plus additional for the sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) Adjust based on spice preference
For the Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation of Chicken
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder.
- Heat some butter in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes on each side.
- Remove the chicken and let it rest.
Cooking the Pasta
- In the same skillet, add the linguine pasta and enough water to boil it.
- Cook according to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.
Making the Cowboy Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, lower the heat and add more butter, followed by the minced garlic.
- Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), parsley, thyme, and season with salt and pepper.
- Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Combining Pasta and Chicken
- Slice the chicken and add it back to the skillet along with the cooked linguine.
- Toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce.
Serving and Garnishing
- Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine hot.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.