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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine - Creamy One-Pan Dinner Perfection

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and just the right amount of spice. It all comes together in one pan for minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz linguine pasta
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Begin by cooking the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the smoked paprika. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and stir in heavy cream, remaining smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, and oregano. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked linguine. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.

Notes

Make sure cream and cheese are at room temperature to prevent curdling. Use pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta. Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for spice level.