Description
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken breasts with a rich cowboy butter sauce made from garlic, paprika, Dijon mustard, and lemon. Ready in just 30 minutes, this hearty meal balances zesty and savory flavors with a luscious creamy texture, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 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
- ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine in salted water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining, then set the cooked pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and let the sauce gently simmer.
- Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Combine All: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the linguine and parmesan cheese, tossing everything to evenly coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help loosen and adjust the sauce consistency.
- Use chicken broth if you prefer more savory depth in the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; omit or adjust for spice preference.
- To save time, slice chicken thinly for faster cooking or use pre-cooked chicken.
- Serve immediately to prevent the sauce from thickening too much as it cools.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken linguine, cowboy butter sauce, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, stovetop pasta
