Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is the perfect balance of rich, creamy butter, savory chicken, and aromatic herbs. This easy-to-make, comfort food dish combines tender chicken breasts, linguine, and a flavorful butter sauce for a meal that will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the linguine pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook the chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest. Once rested, slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and sauté the garlic over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, fresh thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta in the butter sauce. If needed, add some reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Stir in the cooked chicken and fresh parsley. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Notes
- Chicken: You can substitute the chicken breasts with thighs if preferred.
- Pasta: While linguine works well, you can use any pasta shape you like, such as spaghetti or fettuccine.
- Heat: Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American