Description
A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and linguine in a rich, spicy, and creamy cowboy butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound linguine
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained linguine to the skillet.
- Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken in the creamy cowboy butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes.
- Adjust seasoning to your preference.
- Boneless chicken thighs can be used for juicier chicken.
- Fettuccine or spaghetti can be substituted for linguine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg