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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, savory pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a luscious buttery garlic sauce with smoked paprika for a subtle smoky heat. This quick and easy meal combines perfectly cooked linguine with a rich, velvety sauce enhanced by heavy cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Ideal for weeknights or impressing guests, it offers comforting Western-inspired flavors with customizable spice levels and options for dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 chicken breasts (tender and juicy)

Pasta

  • 8 ounces linguine pasta (thin, flat noodles)

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter (for rich, silky base)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (adds fragrant aromatic punch)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for subtle smoky heat)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (makes sauce luscious and velvety)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (adds slight tang to balance richness)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for depth and creamy finish)

Garnishes

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (brightens dish with freshness)

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil or butter. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest.
  2. Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  3. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet used for chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and additional smoked paprika to build flavor layers. Let the sauce simmer gently until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Combine Chicken, Sauce, and Pasta: Slice the rested chicken into strips. Return the chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained linguine and toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta luxuriously. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen.
  5. Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley on top. Toss gently to combine. Serve immediately with optional extra Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and a lemon wedge on the side for added brightness.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter and cream to create a smoother, more cohesive sauce.
  • Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it juicy; rest it briefly before slicing.
  • Reserve some pasta water; its starchiness helps adjust sauce texture without diluting flavor.
  • Use fresh garlic for the brightest flavor and aroma in the sauce.
  • Adjust seasoning after combining all ingredients to balance salt, pepper, and lemon juice perfectly.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, garlic butter sauce, smoked paprika pasta, quick chicken linguine, comfort food pasta

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine/