Description
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken breasts sautéed with smoky spices, tossed in a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce and served over perfectly cooked linguine. This American-Italian fusion recipe delivers a satisfying and quick weeknight meal with a perfect balance of smoky, savory, and creamy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings & Spices
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce & Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season and Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt the unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss well to coat the pieces in the creamy sauce.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a fresh finish and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a smoky twist, use smoked cheddar instead of Parmesan.
- Add sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
- Use gluten-free linguine for a gluten-free version.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level.
