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Delicious Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta served in a bowl with herbs and spices.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A quick and comforting pasta skillet with tender chicken, garlic-butter sauce, and juicy cherry tomatoes, all ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 oz linguine pasta Substitute fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.
Sauce Base
  • 2 tablespoons butter Unsalted preferred; use salted and reduce added salt.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced About 1–1.5 teaspoons.
  • 1 teaspoon paprika Smoked or sweet depending on preference.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
Chicken & Vegetables
  • 1 pound chicken breast, diced Diced into bite-size pieces; thighs work if you want juicier meat.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Sub grape or chopped plum tomatoes.
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth Low-sodium if available.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine to package directions until al dente. Drain, toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium. Add the butter and olive oil; let the butter melt and foam.
  3. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30–60 seconds. Watch carefully so the garlic doesn’t brown.
  4. Stir in the paprika and onion powder to bloom the spices for about 10 seconds.
Cooking
  1. Add the diced chicken to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken browns and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, about 5 to 7 minutes depending on piece size.
  2. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and pour in the chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes so the tomatoes soften and the broth reduces slightly.
  3. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet. Toss and stir until the pasta is coated and heated through, letting it absorb the pan flavors.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 40gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

If you need a dairy-free version, swap the butter for extra olive oil or a plant-based spread. For a lower-sodium option, use reduced-sodium chicken broth and taste before adding salt.

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