Description
This creamy cowboy butter chicken pasta is a bold, garlicky weeknight dinner, marrying smoky butter with fresh herbs and a splash of cream for a rich sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 360 g (12 oz) linguine or spaghetti
- 85 g (6 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 12 g (3 cloves) garlic, minced
- 20 g fresh parsley, chopped
- 15 g fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tsp (2 g) smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) cayenne (optional)
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) heavy cream
- 60 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
Instructions
- Season and halve the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and halve thicker pieces for even thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Rest for 5 minutes while heating the pan.
- Boil the pasta: Bring salted water to a rolling boil and add pasta. Cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally. Reserve pasta water before draining.
- Make the cowboy butter: In a small bowl, mash unsalted butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped chives, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and cayenne. Set aside to meld flavors.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate and let rest.
- Build the sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add cowboy butter to the pan and melt, scraping brown bits, for about 45 seconds. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Cook until slightly thickened.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Add drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss until sauce coats pasta; slice the chicken and nestle into the pasta.
- Finish and season: Taste and adjust with more lemon, salt, or pepper as desired. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Avoid overcrowding the pan while searing the chicken to ensure proper browning. The cowboy butter can be made up to 24 hours ahead for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 760
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 170mg