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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine - featured image
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A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken in a rich, smoky, garlicky butter sauce served over linguine pasta. This creamy dish balances comfort and convenience with bold flavors and a silky sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml), low sodium recommended
  • 12 ounces linguine pasta (340 g)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat dry chicken pieces with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, and onion powder.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding burning.
  5. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  6. Simmer sauce gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  7. Return chicken to skillet and stir to coat with sauce. Toss in drained linguine and combine gently. Adjust sauce consistency with more pasta water if needed.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Use Kerrygold butter for best flavor. Low-sodium chicken broth helps control saltiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking chicken to ensure proper browning. Add pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Add Parmesan cheese off heat to prevent clumping. Let chicken rest before slicing for juiciness. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken linguine, cowboy butter chicken, quick weeknight dinner, garlic butter sauce, smoky pasta dish

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine-recipe-for-easy-weeknight-dinners/