Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe
Enjoy a creamy and flavorful Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Tender chicken breasts are cooked to perfection and combined with linguine pasta, all tossed in a rich butter, garlic, and Parmesan cream sauce accented by lemon and paprika for a deliciously comforting meal.
- 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
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Sauce Ingredients
- 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
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine in salted water according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency later. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken 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 up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet while gently simmering to combine flavors.
- Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in the heavy cream and add half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for 2 more minutes to allow the sauce to thicken lightly.
- Combine All: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked linguine and parmesan cheese. Toss everything together carefully to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and additional parmesan cheese before serving. Serve immediately for the best flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce thickness if needed.
- Red pepper flakes add heat but are optional based on preference.
- Using chicken broth or pasta water helps deglaze the pan and adds flavor to the sauce.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness; add more or less to taste.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor and melt.
Keywords: chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, cowboy butter sauce, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe
