Description
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich garlic butter sauce, zesty lemon, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that delivers comfort and elegance in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Create the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh parsley to build flavor.
- Make it Creamy: Pour in the chicken broth (or reserved pasta water) and heavy cream, stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Chicken: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat it evenly in the sauce.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy cowboy butter sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Garnish with extra chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your flavorful cowboy butter chicken linguine.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- To make it spicier, increase red pepper flakes or add cayenne pepper.
- Using reserved pasta water helps keep the sauce silky and binds it to the pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce may be less rich.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, linguine pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, garlic butter sauce