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- Chicken and Pasta - 2 chicken breasts, diced - 8 oz linguine pasta - Spices and Seasonings - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice) - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh Ingredients - Zest and juice of 1 lemon - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved - ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving For the best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, gather your ingredients first. I love using fresh chicken and pasta for this dish. The chicken adds protein and flavor. The linguine helps soak up all that butter goodness. Next, spices make this dish shine. Smoked paprika adds warmth, while cayenne gives it a kick. Oregano and thyme bring depth to the flavor. Salt and pepper are essential for balance. Fresh ingredients add brightness. The lemon zest and juice give a fresh taste. Cherry tomatoes burst with flavor and color. Lastly, fresh parsley adds a pop of green, and Parmesan cheese gives creaminess. Get these ingredients ready to cook a simple and tasty meal! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, fill a large pot with water. Add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add the linguine pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This usually takes about 9-11 minutes. When done, drain the pasta. Save half a cup of pasta water for later. Set the drained linguine aside while you prepare the rest. Next, grab a large skillet. Heat it over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Let the butter melt. Once melted, add the diced chicken breasts to the pan. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for about 6-8 minutes. You want the chicken to be brown and cooked through. Once ready, remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate. Now, in the same skillet, add the last 2 tablespoons of butter. Let it melt over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Sauté the mixture for about 1 minute. You’ll know it’s ready when it smells really good. This is the cowboy butter part that makes the dish special. Time to bring it all together! Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook them for another 2-3 minutes until they are soft. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Squeeze in the juice of a lemon and add the zest. Stir everything well so the flavors mix. Finally, add the cooked linguine to the skillet. Pour in the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated. Make sure it’s heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. To serve, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top. Offer grated Parmesan cheese on the side for those who want a little extra flavor. Enjoy your cowboy butter chicken linguine! To cook chicken perfectly, use fresh breasts. Dice them into even pieces. This helps them cook evenly. Season well with salt and smoked paprika. Cook in a hot skillet for 6-8 minutes. Look for a golden brown color. Make sure it is cooked through. A meat thermometer should read 165°F. This ensures it's safe to eat. To avoid overcooking linguine, watch the clock. Boil your pasta in salted water. Cook according to the package's instructions. Taste it a minute before the time ends. It should be al dente, or firm to the bite. Drain it but save some pasta water. This water helps the sauce stick to the pasta. If you like heat, add more cayenne pepper. Start with the suggested amount and taste. You can always add more, but it’s hard to take it out. For a milder dish, skip the cayenne or reduce it. You can also add sweet bell peppers for flavor without heat. Adjust spices based on what you and your guests enjoy. Pro Tips Butter Temperature: Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and better incorporation into the dish. Cooking Chicken: Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure the chicken browns nicely rather than steams. Pasta Water Magic: The reserved pasta water is starchy and helps to create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta. Fresh Herbs: Always use fresh parsley for garnish to enhance flavor and presentation; dried herbs can substitute in cooking but lack freshness. {{image_2}} You can easily make a vegetarian version of this dish. Swap the chicken for mixed veggies. Bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms work well. Sauté the veggies until they are tender. Follow the same steps for the butter sauce. This keeps the flavors rich and tasty without meat. If you want to try different proteins, shrimp and tofu are great choices. For shrimp, cook them just until they turn pink. This takes about 3-4 minutes. For tofu, use firm tofu and cut it into cubes. Sauté until golden brown. Both options absorb the cowboy butter flavors well. You can use various pasta types for this recipe. Penne or fettuccine can be good substitutes. Each pasta gives a different texture and taste. Make sure to adjust cooking times based on the pasta shape. Keep it simple and enjoy your favorite kind! To store leftovers, let the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine cool down. Place it in an airtight container. Make sure to seal it tightly. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. For freezing, use a freezer-safe container. Divide the dish into smaller portions. This makes it easier to thaw later. You can freeze it for up to three months. Before you freeze, remove any extra toppings like Parmesan. This helps keep the texture nice. To reheat, thaw the pasta overnight in the fridge. You can heat it on the stove or in the microwave. If using the stove, add a splash of water to help it heat evenly. Stir it often until it warms up. For the microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a lid. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. This keeps the dish moist and tasty. Enjoy your Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine just like new! Cowboy butter is a rich, flavorful blend of butter, garlic, and spices. It adds a kick to dishes and gives them a rustic charm. The smoked paprika and cayenne pepper offer warmth, while the herbs add depth. This mix makes any meal feel special. You can use it on pasta, chicken, or even veggies. Yes, you can prepare this dish ahead of time. Cook the chicken and pasta, then store them separately. Make the cowboy butter sauce and keep it in the fridge. When ready to serve, combine everything. This method helps flavors blend well when reheating. Just ensure you don’t overcook the chicken during reheating. You can spice up your cowboy butter chicken linguine in many ways. Add more cayenne for heat or toss in crushed red pepper flakes. Try mixing in fresh herbs like basil or cilantro. For a twist, use sun-dried tomatoes or olives. Just remember to balance flavors so that the dish stays delightful. Many side dishes go well with cowboy butter chicken linguine. A simple green salad adds freshness. Garlic bread is perfect for dipping in the sauce. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts can add a nice crunch. You can also serve it with a light soup for a cozy meal. This blog post walked you through making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step cooking methods, and tips for perfect results. You can try variations to suit your taste, like using shrimp or tofu. We also discussed how to store leftovers for later enjoyment. Now, you have all you need to create a tasty meal. Enjoy cooking and sharing this delicious dish!

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

A delicious and flavorful chicken pasta dish with a buttery garlic sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pieces chicken breasts, diced
  • 8 oz linguine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 piece lemon, zest and juice
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • for serving grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced chicken, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, and add the lemon zest and juice, stirring everything to combine.
  • Add the cooked linguine to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated and heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
  • Remove from heat, and sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

Adjust the cayenne pepper for desired spice level.
Keyword butter, chicken, garlic, pasta