Can I use shrimp instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Shrimp cooks even faster - just toss them in during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking the sauce. And hey, why not try both for a surf-and-turf twist?

How do I make it spicier?

Turn up the heat by doubling the red pepper flakes or adding a pinch of cayenne. My dad loves it with a swirl of chili crisp on top for an extra kick!

What if I don't have heavy cream?

No worries! Whole milk or half-and-half work in a pinch (your sauce will just be a tad thinner). For dairy-free, canned coconut milk adds a lovely richness.

How can I prep this ahead for busy nights?

Slice your chicken and make the cowboy butter sauce up to 2 days ahead. When ready, just cook fresh pasta and combine - dinner's done in 10 minutes!

Why is my sauce separating?

High heat can make the sauce "break." Keep it at a gentle simmer and always use room temp cream. If it happens, whisk in 1 tbsp cold butter off-heat to bring it back together.

Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in Just 30 Minutes

Name: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz linguine; 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lemon, juiced and zested; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

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A creamy, zesty pasta dish with seared chicken and a buttery lemon-garlic sauce, ready in 30 minutes.

Author: Sophia Collins
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz linguine
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp chopped parsley

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Instructions

Cook linguine according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear in a pan over medium heat until cooked through. Slice into strips.
In the same pan, melt butter. Add garlic, lemon juice, zest, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer until slightly thickened.
Toss cooked linguine and chicken in the sauce. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
For meal planning, double the recipe and store leftovers.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine-recipe/