Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with smoky paprika and red pepper flakes, tossed in a luscious butter and Parmesan cheese sauce. This comforting recipe combines the heartiness of chicken with the richness of a creamy sauce, balanced by a hint of lemon and garlic, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice into strips.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Finish the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the sliced chicken and cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat well and heat through for about 1 minute.
- Serve: Plate the cowboy butter chicken linguine immediately and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your desired spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta better.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a blend of milk and cream.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy chicken pasta, smoky paprika chicken, easy chicken pasta recipe, skillet pasta dish, one-pan chicken linguine
