Description
Enjoy a comforting bowl of Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, featuring tender chicken and al dente linguine in a rich garlic butter sauce, enhanced with cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley. This creamy dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound linguine pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Optional: red pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (about 1 tablespoon of salt).
- Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set the linguine aside. Toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces.
- Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir to coat evenly.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and cover with foil to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Let it melt and bubble.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer for another 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to combine with the sauce and tomatoes. Simmer for another minute.
- Add the cooked linguine, tossing to coat. If too thick, add reserved pasta water to loosen.
- Stir in chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Plate the linguine in shallow bowls.
- Garnish with additional parsley, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For added nutrition, consider incorporating spinach or bell peppers when adding the tomatoes.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes