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). 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 the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
02 -
While the chicken cooks, 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 for later.
03 -
In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, 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. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice if needed.
04 -
Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips. Add the drained linguine to the skillet with the cowboy butter sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Gently fold in the sliced chicken and stir to combine.
05 -
Divide the cowboy butter chicken linguine among plates, and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with additional parsley and thyme, and serve immediately.