Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine tosses tender chicken and linguine in a creamy garlic butter sauce with parsley and gentle red pepper heat. It is a cozy comfort food dinner that works well for busy family nights, planned leftovers, and evenings when you want familiar ingredients to feel a little more special.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large skillet
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1 lb
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 4-5 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley plus more for serving
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the linguine and set it aside.
- Pat chicken dry, slice into even pieces, and season with salt and pepper.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet and cook chicken until golden and 165°F inside.
- Move chicken to a plate, then add remaining butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the skillet.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently, scraping up browned bits until the sauce lightly thickens.
- Add linguine and parsley, tossing with reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce coats the noodles.
- Return sliced chicken to the skillet, adjust seasoning, and serve warm with more parsley if desired.
Notes
Storage: Store cooled Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of milk, cream, or water to loosen the sauce.
Freezing: Freeze portions for up to 2 months, but expect the cream sauce to separate slightly after thawing.
Expert Tips: Keep the cream at a gentle simmer and add pasta water slowly so the sauce stays smooth and glossy.
Sauce Tips: If the sauce tastes too rich, finish with a small squeeze of lemon juice or extra parsley for balance.
Variations: Add spinach, peas, broccoli, chives, or a little extra red pepper depending on what your family likes.