Description
How to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta with tender chicken, linguine, and a rich buttery sauce that’s incredibly flavorful and easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Components:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound linguine
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Aromatics & Flavor Builders:
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Spices & Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Prep chicken into 1-inch pieces; finely dice onion and mince garlic. Season chicken with 1 teaspoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon pepper, and smoked paprika. Getting all your ingredients ready makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
- Sear Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces in batches until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: To the same skillet, add the remaining softened butter, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is softened, then stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 2 minutes, building the rich base for our Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in dried oregano. Bring to a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken and emulsify. Ensure it’s smooth and wonderfully rich for your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.
- Cook Linguine: While the sauce simmers, cook the linguine according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. This pasta water is key for the final sauce consistency.
- Combine Pasta: Return the browned chicken to the skillet with the simmering sauce. Add the cooked linguine and about half of the reserved pasta water. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley until everything is beautifully coated.
- Serve Warm: Serve your Ultimate Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta immediately. Garnish with extra fresh grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Enjoy every comforting, flavorful bite of this amazing dish tonight!