Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with smoked paprika and red pepper flakes, combined with a rich butter-garlic sauce infused with Dijon mustard and lemon juice. Tossed with linguine and Parmesan cheese, this rustic, satisfying meal is garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Pasta
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
- Cook linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Prepare chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly 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 5-6 minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked and golden brown. Remove from heat and slice into strips.
- Make sauce base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth, then simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Finish sauce: Pour in heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Combine and heat: Return the sliced chicken and cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly. Heat through for an additional minute to meld flavors and ensure warmth.
- Serve: Immediately plate the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine and garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference to make it milder or spicier.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smoother sauce texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Chicken broth can be low sodium to control salt levels.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: chicken linguine, creamy pasta, smoked paprika chicken, garlic butter sauce, easy dinner recipe