Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender strips of chicken sautéed in a rich buttery garlic sauce, spiced with paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper, then tossed with linguine and finished with fresh parsley. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, this dish balances creamy, zesty, and mildly spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Season and cook the chicken: Add the sliced chicken strips to the skillet. Sprinkle with paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Combine with pasta: Stir in the lemon juice to the skillet, then add the drained linguine pasta. Toss everything together in the buttery garlic sauce until the pasta is well coated and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the pasta to serving plates and garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot as a comforting, flavorful main course.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the buttery sauce.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level to your preference.
- Adding a splash of chicken broth or pasta water while tossing can make the sauce silkier.
- For extra richness, a small sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese can be added before serving.
- Leftover pasta should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
