Description
How to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta with tender chicken, rich butter sauce, and linguine that your family will absolutely love.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Components:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 12 oz linguine
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Aromatics & Flavor Builders:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Seasonings & Spices:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Finishing Touch:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Prep Chicken & Pasta: Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water. This ensures everything is ready for your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for just one minute until fragrant. Don’t let the garlic burn!
- Cook Chicken: Add chicken pieces to the skillet with the aromatics. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. This builds a rich flavor base for your Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta.
- Build Sauce: Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. The flavors will meld beautifully at this stage.
- Combine Pasta: Add the cooked linguine, fresh lemon juice, and chopped parsley to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Ensure pasta is fully coated in the buttery sauce.
- Finish & Serve: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve your delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. Enjoy this comforting family meal!
Notes
Cook garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness; burnt garlic will ruin the sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days; past that, pasta can get mushy.
For a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the richness will be slightly reduced.
Serve warm, garnished with Parmesan and fresh parsley, ideally alongside a crisp green or arugula salad.
Prepare chicken and sauce 1-2 days ahead; store separately and combine with freshly cooked pasta just before serving.
**Allergy Information:** Dairy, Gluten