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Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

4.8 from 8 reviews

This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy, flavorful butter sauce infused with garlic, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon, tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. A comforting and impressive one-pan meal that’s simple to prepare yet bursting with rich, savory flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Pasta

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces linguine pasta

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons 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

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to package directions in well-salted water. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining the pasta and set it aside.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan and gently simmer the mixture to blend flavors.
  5. Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in heavy cream and add half of the chopped parsley. Stir and cook gently for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Combine All: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the linguine and grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat pasta and chicken in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  7. Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Garnish with remaining parsley and additional parmesan cheese. Serve immediately to enjoy fresh and flavorful cowboy butter chicken linguine.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken broth with reserved pasta water to keep sauce smooth and flavorful.
  • Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to your spice preference.
  • For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
  • Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the dish — don’t skip them for best taste.
  • Leftover sauce can be stored separately and reheated gently with a splash of milk or broth to regain creaminess.

Nutrition

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