Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a flavorful and hearty American main course featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a rich and spicy garlic butter sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked linguine pasta. A perfect easy weeknight dinner with a wonderful balance of smoky, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Add the chicken strips to the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne pepper if using, fresh parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook the sauce for 1–2 minutes to slightly thicken and meld the flavors.
- Combine chicken and pasta with sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly with the cowboy butter sauce. Add the cooked linguine and gently toss until the pasta is evenly coated and heated through.
- Serve: Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately, optionally garnished with extra fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by reducing or omitting cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
