01 -
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
02 -
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
03 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
04 -
Using the same skillet, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, parsley, and thyme, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
05 -
Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
06 -
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice, if needed.
07 -
While the sauce is simmering, slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips.
08 -
Add the drained linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water gradually until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
09 -
Gently fold in the sliced chicken and stir to combine.
10 -
Divide the cowboy butter chicken linguine among plates. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional parsley or thyme, if desired. Serve immediately.