Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are sautéed and combined with a luscious cowboy butter sauce featuring garlic, paprika, Dijon mustard, lemon, and parmesan cheese. Served over linguine, this dish offers a delightful balance of creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors that the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the pan bottom while gently simmering.
- 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 lightly thickens.
- Combine All: Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Add cooked linguine and parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Always save some pasta water before draining; it helps loosen the sauce and make it cling better to the pasta.
- Sauté garlic until just fragrant, not browned, to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level; omit for mild or increase for spicier flavors.
- Add a splash of milk or water when reheating leftovers to maintain creamy sauce texture.
- Freeze sauce and pasta separately for best texture when storing long term.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, easy pasta recipe, family-friendly dinner
