Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Delight (Print Version)

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: Creamy pasta with tender chicken, rich garlic, and herbs. Your new favorite quick & easy weeknight meal!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Base

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
02 - 12 oz linguine pasta

→ Cowboy Butter Flavor

03 - ½ cup unsalted butter
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I always add more!)
05 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes
06 - ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

→ Creamy Dream

08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasoning & Staples

10 - ½ cup chicken broth
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Add a generous pinch of salt – I learned that lesson the hard way, trust me! Bring it to a rolling boil, then toss in your linguine. Cook it according to package directions until it's al dente, you know, still has a little bite. This is where I <i>always</i> used to forget to salt the water, don't be like me! Drain it, but make sure to reserve about a cup of that starchy pasta water. It’s a secret weapon for the sauce, honestly.
02 - While your pasta is cooking, season your chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it's golden brown and cooked through. I love that sizzle sound, right? Makes the kitchen smell so good already! Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. We’ll slice it up later.
03 - In that same skillet (don't clean it, those bits are flavor!), reduce the heat to medium-low. Melt the remaining butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant – the aroma here? Oh my goodness, it's heavenly. Don't burn the garlic, though, I've done that, and it's a sad, bitter affair.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it's melted and the sauce starts to thicken slightly. Watch it thicken, it’s like magic! Sometimes I get impatient and turn the heat too high, then it separates a bit. Low and slow, friend, that's the key to a perfect sauce for your <b>Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Delight</b>.
05 - Slice your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the sliced chicken and the drained linguine to the skillet with the creamy cowboy butter sauce. Toss everything together, making sure every single strand of pasta and piece of chicken is coated in that glorious sauce. This is where the <b>Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Delight</b> really comes together. Make sure every strand is coated, it’s worth the arm workout.
06 - If the sauce seems a little too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the fresh parsley and chives. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – maybe a little more salt or pepper? The final flourish! The colors just pop, and that first bite? Pure bliss. You'll smell the garlic and herbs, feel the warmth, it's just so good. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan, if you're feeling fancy.

# Notes:

01 - Personal cooking tip I've learned through experience: Don't rush the sauce! Low heat keeps it from breaking, a mistake I've made too many times.
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials: Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to keep the sauce creamy.
03 - Substitution I've tried that worked surprisingly well: Chicken thighs instead of breasts for even more tender meat.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special: A crusty baguette to soak up all that amazing cowboy butter sauce.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large pot
02 - large skillet
03 - whisk
04 - cutting board
05 - sharp knife

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 750 kcal
Total Fat: 55g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 40g

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