Description
A delicious fusion of Italian classic and Southern charm with tender chicken and a rich, buttery sauce over linguine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. In a skillet over medium heat, add a tablespoon of butter and cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through, around 6-7 minutes per side. After cooking, remove from heat and slice.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, lemon zest, dried thyme, and oregano. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant. If the sauce seems thick, add a little pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked linguine into the skillet with the sauce, adding the sliced chicken. Mix well until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the seasonings and swap the pasta type to suit your preferences. This dish pairs well with a fresh garden salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg