Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts tossed in a creamy butter and garlic sauce with a hint of lemon and mustard. This hearty yet balanced meal combines the smoky warmth of paprika and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes with fresh parsley and parmesan for a deliciously satisfying dinner that’s easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Pasta

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 ounces linguine pasta

Sauce and Seasonings

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Cooking Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook the linguine pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and toss lightly with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Cooking Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until browned and thoroughly cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Preparing Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not burnt. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Pour in the chicken broth or reserved pasta water while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to enhance flavor. Add heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir well and cook for approximately 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combining Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked linguine pasta. Sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until the chicken and pasta are well coated with the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving immediately.

Notes

Use unsalted butter to better control the salt content in the dish.
Reserving pasta water helps in adjusting the sauce consistency while also enhancing flavor.
Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
For extra heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes according to preference.
This dish pairs well with a light side salad or steamed vegetables.
Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken linguine, creamy butter chicken pasta, cowboy butter chicken, garlic butter pasta, easy dinner recipes