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Cowboy Chicken Linguine

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Cowboy Chicken Linguine is a creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring juicy chicken, smoky bacon, and a luscious sauce with a hint of southwestern spice. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that combines bold flavors and hearty ingredients for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz linguine pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 6 strips bacon, chopped
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package directions (about 9-11 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy and golden, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add olive oil to the pan if needed. Add diced red bell pepper and chopped onion. Sauté over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
  4. Add cooked chicken, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until chicken is heated through and coated with spices.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add cream cheese and stir until melting. Gradually pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring constantly. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
  6. Add drained linguine to the pan. Toss with tongs to coat pasta in sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed for a creamy consistency.
  7. Stir in half of the crispy bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve in bowls, topped with remaining bacon, green onions, and parsley.

Notes

Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smooth sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For extra heat, add cayenne or jalapeños. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days; add a splash of milk or cream when reheating. For gluten-free, use GF pasta. For vegetarian, omit chicken and bacon and add mushrooms and zucchini.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, bacon pasta, southwestern pasta, comfort food, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/cowboy-chicken-linguine-recipe-easy-creamy-weeknight-dinner-magic/