Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Tossed with linguine and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this recipe offers a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any dinner occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz linguine

Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cook 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 the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice into strips.
Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and stir the sauce continuously until it thickens slightly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding some of the reserved pasta water gradually.
Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet along with the drained linguine. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken well in the creamy sauce. Heat through for another minute to blend the flavors perfectly.
Serve: Divide the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine among plates and garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness according to your preference.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
Reserving pasta water helps to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick and helps it cling better to the pasta.
Make sure the chicken is cooked through but still juicy to avoid dryness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta, smoked paprika chicken, easy chicken dinner, quick pasta recipe