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Cowboy butter chicken linguine with grilled chicken and pasta.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Rich and flavorful linguine pasta tossed with tender chicken in a luxurious cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, herbs, and a hint of spice. This indulgent dish brings together the best of comfort food flavors in one satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 685
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cowboy Butter
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Pasta and Chicken
  • 12 oz linguine pasta
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup white wine optional
  • 1/4 cup pasta water reserved
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Medium bowl
  • Tongs
  • Colander

Method
 

Make the Cowboy Butter
  1. In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chives, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Set aside.
Prepare the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
Cook the Chicken
  1. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
  3. If using wine, add it to the skillet and let it simmer for 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
Combine and Finish
  1. Reduce heat to low. Add the prepared cowboy butter to the skillet with chicken and stir until melted and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss with tongs to coat evenly with the cowboy butter sauce. Add pasta water gradually if needed to achieve desired consistency.
  3. Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Toss once more and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature butter when making the cowboy butter mixture. You can prepare the cowboy butter up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator. The pasta water helps create a silky sauce that coats the linguine perfectly. Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level.