Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful American-inspired pasta dish featuring tender strips of chicken coated in a spicy, buttery sauce with hints of garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Tossed with linguine and fresh herbs, and finished with Parmesan cheese, this dish offers a perfect balance of creamy, savory, and subtly spicy notes that make for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt completely. Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce becomes fragrant.
- Combine chicken with sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and toss them well to coat with the cowboy butter sauce evenly.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and chopped chives for added flavor and freshness.
- Serve: Plate the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately. Garnish with extra herbs and Parmesan cheese if desired for an enhanced presentation and taste.
Notes
- This dish is rich and flavorful—perfect for a bold pasta night.
- You can add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies to make it more nutritious.
- For a lighter version, use half the butter and add a splash of chicken broth instead.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to control the spice level to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
