Description
Cowboy butter chicken linguine brings rustic ranch-style comfort to your dinner table with bold, zesty flavors. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly seasoned pasta invite you to savor a hearty meal that celebrates western-inspired culinary creativity.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites
Pasta and Liquid:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine
- Water for boiling
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream
Seasonings and Flavoring:
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) cowboy butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt for pasta water
Garnish:
- Lemon slices
- Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge linguine and cook until perfectly tender, following package timing. Drain pasta and reserve.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high temperature. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, distributing paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper evenly across surface. Sear for 3-4 minutes until achieving golden caramelization.
- Introduce cowboy butter into the skillet, allowing it to melt around chicken pieces. Flip proteins and continue cooking an additional 3-4 minutes until reaching 165°F internal temperature. Transfer chicken to a foil-covered plate to maintain warmth.
- Reduce skillet heat to low. Incorporate remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Gently stir, extracting savory browned remnants from pan bottom, creating a silky, uniform sauce.
- Reintroduce cooked linguine and seared chicken into the skillet. Thoroughly toss ingredients, ensuring complete sauce coverage across pasta and protein.
- Brighten the dish with fresh lemon juice. Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with delicate lemon slices and verdant parsley sprigs. Serve immediately while temperature remains optimal.
Notes
- Swap proteins effortlessly by using shrimp, tofu, or turkey instead of chicken for varied dietary preferences.
- Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or using mild paprika for sensitive palates.
- Create dairy-free version by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Enhance meal prep by pre-cooking chicken and storing separately, allowing quick assembly during busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg