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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine That Will Steal Your Heart - Featured Image

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine That Will Steal Your Heart

Learn how to make delicious Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, especially fresh chicken and quality butter, which create that rich, comforting base I adore. Growing up, my mom always insisted that good meals start with good ingredients — a lesson that’s stuck with me through every meal I make for my family. For this recipe, I like to use unsalted butter so I can control the saltiness, and fresh linguine if I can find it, though dried works beautifully too.

  • 12 ounces linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a little kick)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Olive oil, for cooking

If you’re looking to lighten it up a bit, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, but keep in mind it will be a bit less rich. For a dairy-free option, coconut cream works surprisingly well, and you can swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast to keep that cheesy flavor.

Instructions

  1. 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, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Add the cooked linguine directly to the skillet and gently toss everything together, ensuring the noodles are well coated with the sauce and chicken.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Keywords: Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, recipe, cooking, food