Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a flavorful, creamy pasta dish combining tender chicken breast, a rich buttery sauce with garlic, Dijon mustard, and a hint of lemon. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Cooking Fats and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
Flavors and Seasonings
- 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
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Liquids and Dairy
- ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Remember to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: 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.
- Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and gently simmer to combine flavors.
- Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in the 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 chicken to the pan. Add the cooked linguine and parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese. Serve immediately to enjoy the rich, savory flavors.
Notes
- Reserving pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and bind it with the pasta.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes slightly or add fresh chopped chilies.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best bright flavor contrast.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with boneless thighs for juicier meat.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute linguine with gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 630 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, easy chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner recipes, chicken pasta dinner
