Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts tossed with linguine pasta in a rich, garlicky butter sauce infused with fresh herbs, smoked paprika, and a hint of lemon. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent dinner, this meal combines classic flavors with a creamy, savory sauce for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Additional fresh parsley or thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C).
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Then slice into thin strips for serving.
- Make Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped parsley, fresh thyme leaves, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to meld the flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing well to coat the pasta with the buttery herb sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Add Chicken: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and toss everything together to evenly distribute the chicken throughout the pasta and sauce.
- Serve: Plate the Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, then generously top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Optionally garnish with extra fresh parsley or thyme leaves and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and make it silky smooth.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes amount to your preferred spice level or omit for no heat.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact, but dried can be substituted in a pinch.
- Make sure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated gently with a splash of chicken broth or water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American