Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a flavorful and creamy pasta dish that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. With tender chicken, rich butter sauce, and a hint of spice, it comes together quickly and impresses every time.

Ingredients

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
• 8 oz linguine pasta
• 4-5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare your ingredients by dicing the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mincing the garlic.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
3. Step 3: In a skillet, melt half of the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Lower the heat, then add the remaining butter and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce is combined and creamy.
6. Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss in the cooked linguine. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired sauce consistency. Finish by stirring in the chopped fresh parsley.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a splash of white wine to the sauce before adding the cream.
• If you prefer less heat, reduce the red pepper flakes or omit them entirely.
• Swap linguine for fettuccine or penne for a different pasta texture.
• Use grilled chicken leftovers to speed up the cooking process.

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 needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and add a bit more richness. Adjust cooking time slightly until cooked through.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Not as written, since linguine contains gluten. You can substitute gluten-free pasta to make it suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 148 reviews

A creamy, flavorful cowboy butter chicken linguine made with tender diced chicken, rich butter and cream sauce, fresh garlic, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, all tossed with perfectly cooked linguine pasta. This easy one-pan dish brings comforting American flavors to your weeknight dinner table.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein

• 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)

Pasta

• 8 oz linguine pasta

Sauce & Seasonings

• 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic cloves finely to prepare for cooking.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
3. Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt half of the butter over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken pieces are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add Garlic and Spices: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Create the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low, then add the remaining butter and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce is combined and creamy.
6. Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked linguine pasta and toss to coat everything evenly. Use the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency. Finish by stirring in the fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

• Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness as needed.
• For extra heat, increase red pepper flakes to taste.
• Use fresh parsley for best flavor, but dried parsley can be substituted if unavailable.
• Ensure chicken pieces are cooked thoroughly before combining with sauce.
• This dish is best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor.

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, linguine pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, stovetop pasta recipe