Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 8 ounces linguine
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons / 57 g) cowboy butter, divided
- ¾ cup (178.5 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Garnish:
- Lemon slices
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and season evenly with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown.
Add Cowboy Butter:
- Nestle 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter into the skillet.
- Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and tent with foil to keep warm.
Make the Sauce:
- Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes to the skillet.
- Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Stir until the butter has melted.
Combine and Serve:
- Add the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce.
- Stir in the lemon juice.
Serve hot, garnished with lemon slices and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Cooking the Pasta: Make sure to cook the linguine until al dente for the best texture. Overcooked pasta can become mushy when combined with the sauce.
- Cowboy Butter Shortcut: If you don’t have pre-made cowboy butter, make your own by mixing softened butter with garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and a pinch of paprika.
- Don’t Skip the Brown Bits: When making the sauce, scrape the browned bits from the skillet—they’re packed with flavor and enhance the sauce’s richness.
- Adjust the Heat: Feel free to reduce or increase the red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
- Lemon Balance: Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Add a little at a time to find the perfect balance of tanginess for your taste.
- Make It Your Own: Add extra toppings like grated Parmesan, crispy bacon, or roasted vegetables to elevate the dish further.
- Reheating Tip: To reheat leftovers, add a splash of cream or milk to keep the sauce silky and prevent it from drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: ~680
- Fat: ~25g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Protein: ~35g