Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe features tender, golden-brown chicken breasts cooked in a rich and creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, Italian herbs, and a hint of red pepper flakes. Tossed with perfectly cooked linguine and finished with Parmesan cheese, this dish is a comforting and flavorful weeknight dinner that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 2 tsp Italian herb blend (oregano and basil)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- Salt (for pasta water)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add linguine and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Season the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook the chicken in the skillet, about 6 to 7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until aromatic and fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream along with the Italian herb blend and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together until well combined and heated through to form a creamy sauce.
- Combine: Add the drained linguine to the skillet and gently toss the pasta to coat it evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water a little at a time until reaching the desired consistency.
- Finish: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce without watering down flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and melting quality.
- Chicken breasts can be pounded to an even thickness for more even cooking if desired.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the sauce’s creamy texture.
