Description
This restaurant-quality Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender chicken with creamy garlic butter sauce over perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt (plus 1 teaspoon for sauce)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup cowboy butter (divided)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Fresh parsley (chopped) for garnish
Instructions
- Bring large pot of salted water to rolling boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange chicken pieces in single layer without overcrowding.
- Season chicken evenly with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes until golden brown on first side.
- Add 2 tablespoons cowboy butter to skillet. Flip chicken pieces and continue cooking 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Reduce heat to low.
- Add remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Scrape up browned bits while stirring until butter melts.
- Return cooked linguine and chicken to skillet. Toss everything together until well coated with creamy sauce.
- Drizzle lemon juice over pasta and stir gently. Serve immediately garnished with lemon slices and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Don’t overcook your linguine – al dente pasta holds sauce better and maintains perfect texture when tossed with hot ingredients
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure beautiful golden crust forms during searing process
- Save pasta water before draining – add splashes if sauce becomes too thick while tossing
- Let chicken rest after cooking to redistribute juices, ensuring every bite stays tender and moist
- Taste and adjust seasonings before serving – everyone’s spice preference varies, so customize accordingly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: butter chicken pasta, creamy chicken linguine, garlic butter pasta recipe, spicy chicken pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one pan pasta dish, restaurant style pasta