Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender cubed chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce with smoked paprika and lemon juice. Combined with linguine pasta and fresh parsley, this hearty meal brings a delightful blend of smoky and tangy flavors that’s perfect for a comforting dinner.
- 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
Chicken and Seasonings
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), cubed
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Juice of 1 lemon
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, toss the cubed chicken breasts with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to evenly coat.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add lemon juice and chicken: Stir in the lemon juice, then return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Mix well to coat the chicken with the sauce. Simmer for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss to evenly coat the pasta with the creamy butter chicken sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the linguine, adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- You can add some crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness; if unavailable, substitute with basil or cilantro.
- Ensure not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta instead of linguine.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken, linguine pasta, creamy chicken pasta, garlic butter sauce, smoked paprika chicken, easy dinner recipe
