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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

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This creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine combines tender chicken, a decadent cowboy butter sauce, and silky linguine for a comforting, crowd-pleasing family dinner. The rich, buttery sauce is infused with garlic, herbs, lemon, and a hint of spice for next-level flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 12 oz linguine noodles (regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • Extra chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill), for topping
  • Additional grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, for topping
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, chives, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add salt and black pepper. Mash together until well blended and creamy. Set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  3. While pasta cooks, pat chicken pieces dry. Toss with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  5. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add cowboy butter mixture and let it melt, stirring constantly. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
  6. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Add drained linguine and cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss gently until pasta is coated in sauce and chicken is evenly distributed. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  8. Transfer to plates or a serving bowl. Top with extra herbs, Parmesan, cracked pepper, and lemon wedges. Serve immediately.

Notes

For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and coconut cream. For gluten-free, use gluten-free linguine. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes for extra nutrition. Sauce and chicken can be made ahead; cook pasta fresh for best texture. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy butter, chicken linguine, creamy pasta, family dinner, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, weeknight meal, skillet pasta, garlic butter sauce

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