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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: Creamy Western-Style Pasta Dinner

This cowboy butter chicken linguine brings bold Western flavors to your dinner table with tender chicken strips in a rich, creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and spice. This one-pan wonder comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something comforting yet impressive.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 12 ounces linguine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and add heavy cream, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, and thyme. Stir continuously until the sauce begins to thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add cooked chicken back to the skillet along with drained linguine. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken - work in batches if necessary for proper browning. Reserved pasta water helps create perfect creamy sauce consistency. Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for desired spice level.