Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta (Print-Friendly Version)

Linguine, chicken, and rich garlic-herb butter sauce create a quick, delicious dish finished with fresh parmesan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt, to taste
03 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Pasta

07 - 225 grams linguine pasta

→ Sauce

08 - 115 grams unsalted butter
09 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
12 - 240 millilitres chicken broth
13 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

→ Topping

14 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve
15 - Extra chopped fresh herbs, to garnish (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry, then season both sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
02 - Heat 30 grams (2 tablespoons) butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add prepared chicken breasts and cook for 6–7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 74°C. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 240 millilitres pasta water.
04 - In the same skillet, melt remaining 85 grams (6 tablespoons) butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, parsley, and thyme. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Pour chicken broth and lemon juice into skillet. Stir well and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Slice cooked chicken into strips. Add linguine to the skillet with sauce, tossing gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen if necessary. Fold in sliced chicken, then serve hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and extra herbs if desired.

# Additional Tips:

01 - For tender and juicy chicken, allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
02 - Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a silkier finish.