Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe

Introduction

This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful dish ready in just 30 minutes. Tender chicken and linguine pasta come together in a rich buttery sauce with a hint of lemon and spices, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels special.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 12 ounces linguine pasta
• 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. Step 1: Cook the linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
2. Step 2: 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 fully cooked. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
4. Step 4: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Scrape any browned bits from the pan and let the mixture gently simmer.
5. Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream and add half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet, then add the cooked linguine and grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to combine and coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
7. Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier texture.
• For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
• Swap linguine for fettuccine or spaghetti depending on your preference.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for added vegetables.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.

Storage

Store leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, this recipe works well with various pasta shapes like fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne. Just adjust cooking times according to the pasta packaging.

Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?

You can make it dairy-free by substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative and using coconut cream or a dairy-free cream substitute instead of heavy cream. Nutritional yeast can replace parmesan cheese for a cheesy flavor.

Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 182 reviews

This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender, pan-seared chicken breasts with a rich, creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, Dijon mustard, and a hint of lemon. Tossed with perfectly cooked linguine and fresh parsley, this flavorful pasta dish is ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner packed with savory, buttery goodness.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Pasta

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

Sauce and Seasonings

• 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: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water to use later in the sauce. Drain pasta and set 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 or until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside to rest.
3. Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to brown the garlic.
4. Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate all flavors. Let the mixture gently simmer.
5. Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in the heavy cream and add half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Combine All: Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet along with the cooked linguine and grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta and chicken in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
7. Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and additional parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency – it helps the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta.
• Use chicken broth if you prefer deeper flavor over pasta water.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on your desired heat level or omit for a milder dish.
• Heavy cream provides richness; substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option but expect a thinner sauce.
• Let cooked chicken rest briefly before slicing to keep it juicy.

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, creamy chicken pasta, chicken linguine recipe, easy dinner, quick chicken pasta, skillet chicken linguine, creamy butter sauce