Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with Dijon mustard, lemon, and parmesan. Combining perfectly cooked linguine with a luscious sauce made from butter, heavy cream, and fresh herbs, this dish delivers comforting southern-inspired flavors with a zesty twist. It’s ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner that’s both easy to prepare and impressively delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Pasta

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 ounces linguine pasta
Salt and black pepper to taste

Sauce and Seasoning

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

Instructions

Cooking Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and toss it lightly with a little 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. Add them to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Preparing Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using), sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Pour in the chicken broth or the reserved pasta water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for added flavor.
Thickening Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and add half of the chopped parsley. Stir continuously and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Combining Ingredients: Slice the cooked chicken if desired and return it to the skillet along with the cooked linguine. Sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese and gently toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce.
Final Seasoning and Serving: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and some extra parmesan cheese. Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Use unsalted butter to better control the salt level in the dish.
Reserving some pasta water helps loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Fresh garlic provides a richer flavor; avoid pre-minced garlic for best taste.
Red pepper flakes are optional; omit or reduce for a milder dish.
For a lighter variation, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream.
This dish can be paired nicely with a green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

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

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