Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
This Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe combines tender, golden-brown chicken pieces with a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. A quick and comforting skillet-cooked dish, enhanced with fresh parsley and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- 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 Pasta
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Sauce and 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
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic cloves carefully to ensure even cooking and flavor release.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt half the butter (3 tbsp) over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown on the outside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden, taking care not to burn it.
- Create the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining butter and heavy cream to the skillet, stirring continuously until the sauce is well combined, rich, and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked linguine pasta and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley for a fresh herbal finish. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce’s thickness and help it cling to the pasta perfectly.
- Use fresh parsley for vibrant flavor and garnish; dried parsley can be used in a pinch but adjust quantities.
- Adjust red pepper flakes amount to control spice level.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger servings.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
Keywords: Butter Chicken Linguine, Creamy Pasta, Garlic Butter Sauce, Easy Chicken Pasta, Skillet Dinner
