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Here are the ingredients you need to make Quick Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: - 8 oz linguine pasta - 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon chili powder - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - 1 cup heavy cream - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved - ¼ cup green onions, finely chopped - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) These ingredients come together to create a rich and hearty dish. The chicken breast adds protein. The butter and cream make it creamy and smooth. The spices bring warmth and flavor. You can adjust the cayenne pepper for more or less heat. The cherry tomatoes add freshness and a pop of color. Fresh parsley gives a nice finish. You can find the full recipe to guide you through the cooking process. Enjoy each step as you dive into this delicious meal! - Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. - Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Cooking the linguine is the first step. Make sure your water is nice and salty. This helps flavor the pasta. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and save a bit of that water for later. - Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. - Season and cook chicken until golden brown. Now, let’s sauté the chicken. Start by melting some butter in your skillet. Add your bite-sized chicken pieces. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. You want it golden brown and fully cooked. Once done, move the chicken to a plate. - Sauté garlic in remaining butter. - Add cream and cherry tomatoes, simmer. In the same skillet, add more butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about a minute. The garlic should smell nice but not burn. Pour in the heavy cream and halved cherry tomatoes. Stir well and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes. The sauce will thicken a bit. - Return chicken to skillet. - Toss with linguine and adjust consistency. Now, it’s time to combine everything. Put the chicken back in the skillet. Add the cooked linguine too. Use tongs to toss it all together. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of that reserved pasta water. Taste it and add more salt or pepper if needed. - Sprinkle green onions and parsley. - Presentation tips for serving. Before serving, sprinkle chopped green onions and parsley on top. This adds color and flavor. Serve the pasta in deep bowls. Top with extra parsley and a few cherry tomato halves. A side of crusty bread works great with this dish. For the full recipe, feel free to check out the details! To make sure your chicken cooks evenly, cut it into bite-sized cubes. This helps it cook quickly and evenly. When seasoning, don’t be shy! Use salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder. These spices add flavor and warmth. For extra taste, try marinating the chicken. A simple mix of olive oil, garlic, and lime juice works wonders. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and your chicken will be full of flavor. The sauce must be creamy but not too thick. If it is thick, add a little pasta water. This water has starch that helps the sauce stick to your noodles. When adding cream, pour it slowly. Stir it gently to blend it with the garlic and butter. Cook it just enough to warm through but not boil. This keeps the sauce smooth and rich. This dish shines when served with crusty bread. The bread helps soak up the sauce. You can also add a simple salad for freshness. A mix of greens with a light vinaigrette pairs nicely. For wine, a chilled Sauvignon Blanc works great. Its crispness balances the richness of the sauce. Enjoy this meal with friends, and you’ll impress everyone! For the full recipe, check the detailed instructions above. {{image_4}} You can switch the chicken for shrimp or tofu. Shrimp cooks fast and adds a sweet taste. Tofu gives you a great vegetarian option. Just make sure to press the tofu to remove water. This helps it absorb flavors better. You can change the spice levels to suit your taste. If you like heat, add more cayenne pepper. If you want less spice, cut back on the chili powder. Adding veggies like spinach or bell peppers makes this dish even better. Spinach wilts nicely, while bell peppers add a crunch. For gluten-free options, try using rice noodles or zucchini noodles. These swaps keep the dish light and healthy. You can also look for gluten-free pasta brands. Just check the labels to ensure they meet your needs. Store any leftover Quick Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in an airtight container. This keeps the dish fresh and tasty. It lasts up to three days in the fridge. Make sure it cools down before sealing. This helps avoid moisture buildup. When reheating, I prefer the stovetop. Heat a pan over low to medium heat. Add a splash of cream or water to keep it moist. Stir gently until warm. This method keeps the texture nice. If you use a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals. Stir after each interval to avoid hot spots. To freeze, place portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as you can before sealing. Label them with the date. This dish freezes well for up to three months. For best quality, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. This way, you keep the creamy sauce smooth and delicious. It takes just 30 minutes to make this dish. You will spend 10 minutes prepping. Cooking the linguine and chicken takes about 20 minutes. This quick time makes it perfect for busy nights. Yes, you can prep this dish ahead. Cook the chicken and make the sauce early. Store them in the fridge. When you’re ready, cook the linguine and mix it all together. This makes meal prep easy and fast. Some tasty sides include: - Garlic bread - Steamed broccoli - Mixed green salad - Grilled vegetables These sides balance the creamy pasta and add freshness. This recipe has a mild heat. You can adjust spice levels. Add more cayenne for extra kick. If you prefer less heat, reduce the cayenne or skip it. Make it your own! In this blog post, we explored the steps to create Quick Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. We covered each ingredient, from linguine to spices, ensuring you if there's something extra delicious in each bite. I shared tips on sautéing chicken, making a creamy sauce, and even how to dress your dish for serving. Consider experimenting with protein alternatives or adjusting spice levels to fit your taste. Remember, this dish is versatile and easy to store or reheat. Enjoy cooking and savor every bite of this delightful meal.

Quick Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Indulge in the flavors of the Wild West with this Quick Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe! This creamy pasta dish combines tender chicken, zesty spices, and fresh tomatoes for a meal that's both satisfying and easy to prepare. In just 30 minutes, you can impress your family or guests with this delightful dinner. Click through for step-by-step instructions and tips to make this heartwarming dish tonight!
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Ingredients
  

8 oz linguine pasta

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for spiciness)

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

¼ cup green onions, finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Cook the Linguine: In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later if needed.

    Sauté the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken to the skillet, seasoning it generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Sauté for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

      Create the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet where the chicken was cooked, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter along with the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and just begins to turn golden.

        Add Cream and Tomato: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, followed by the halved cherry tomatoes. Stir the mixture well, allowing it to come to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.

          Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce, followed by the linguine. Using tongs or a pasta fork, gently toss everything together until the noodles are well coated in the creamy sauce. If the mixture seems thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

            Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle the chopped green onions and fresh parsley liberally over the top for an added burst of color and flavor.

              Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4

                - Presentation Tips: Serve the pasta in deep bowls, with an extra sprinkle of parsley and a few cherry tomato halves on top for an eye-catching finish. A simple side of crusty bread would complement the dish beautifully!