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A white serving bowl filled with Cowboy Chicken Pasta topped with browned, bite-sized chicken pieces, garnished with chopped herbs and lemon wedges on the side.

Cowboy Chicken Pasta

Creamy, smoky, and bursting with flavor, this pasta brings tender chicken, a luscious sauce, and a touch of heat to your plate.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 620
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 2 ¾ teaspoon kosher salt divided for chicken, pasta water, and sautéing
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper for seasoning chicken
  • 5 tablespoon salted butter divided, for cooking chicken and sauce
  • 12 oz uncooked linguine pasta about ¾ package, for main pasta
  • 2 large shallots finely chopped, about ¾ cup, for sauce
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika for smoky flavor in sauce
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper optional heat
  • 2 cloves garlic minced, for sauce
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest for sauce brightness
  • 1 ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice for sauce tang
  • ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream for sauce richness
  • ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese for sauce creaminess
  • 2 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley divided, for garnish and sauce
  • 2 tablespoon minced fresh chives for sauce flavor

Method
 

  1. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with ½ teaspoon salt and the black pepper.
  2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken and cook 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside; do not wipe pan.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  5. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  6. Melt remaining butter (about 4 Tbsp) in the skillet over medium heat.
  7. Add shallots, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  8. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  9. Stir in lemon juice and zest; cook 1 minute while stirring constantly.
  10. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
  11. Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
  12. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with 1 tablespoon parsley and the chives; stir to combine.
  13. Add drained pasta to the skillet and stir in ¼ cup reserved pasta water. Lower heat to low and toss pasta for 2–3 minutes until coated in sauce. Adjust consistency with additional pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed.
  14. Sprinkle remaining parsley over the top and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 38gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 850IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 3.5mg

Notes

This creamy pasta is comfort food at its finest. Smoky paprika, tender chicken, and fresh herbs combine to make a dish perfect for cozy weeknights or easy meal prep.

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