Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes
Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes
Ever dreamt of a dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl? Picture creamy linguine swirled with tender chicken bathed in a buttery sauce. Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine packs all that cozy goodness into just 30 minutes and a single pan. If you’re ready to impress your taste buds (and maybe even your dinner guests), buckle up!
Why Make This Recipe
Why will you fall head over heels for this dish? Here are a few reasons:
- Quick Cleanup: One pan means fewer dishes to wash—yes, please!
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will gobble it up. Who can resist creamy, cheesy pasta?
- Affordable Ingredients: Simple, budget-friendly pantry staples make it easy to whip up any night of the week!
Ingredients
You don’t need fancy stuff — just these basics! Grab:
- 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
Directions
Ready to make magic happen? Here’s how:
Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Don’t forget 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 and 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 the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Add Flavor Components: Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan while gently simmering.
Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently, cooking 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 adjust the sauce’s consistency.
Final Touches: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving. Serve immediately to enjoy the delightful flavors!
How to Make Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes (Overview)
Let’s break this down simply! Cook your pasta first while you’re prepping the chicken. Then sauté that chicken to golden perfection. Once it’s out, whip up the heavenly Cowboy Butter Sauce with garlic and seasonings—your kitchen will smell incredible! Finally, toss everything together, and, voilà, you’ve got dinner that’s ready to devour. Pro tip: Don’t skip toasting the garlic—it makes all the difference!
How to Serve Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes
For serving, consider a sprinkling of fresh parsley and an extra dash of parmesan on top for color and crunch. The creamy sauce clings to every noodle, making each bite a delightful experience. Pair it with a crisp salad or some crusty bread to soak up that dreamy sauce. Your kitchen will smell like heaven, and your guests will be clamoring for seconds!
How to Store Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes
Leftovers? Yes, please! Store any extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can even freeze this beauty for up to a month—just be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Pour it in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to bring it back to life.
Tips to Make Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes
- Timing is Key: Make sure your pasta and chicken are both cooked at the same time for maximum freshness.
- Ingredient Swaps: Feel free to swap chicken for shrimp or even mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.
- Adjust Texture: If the sauce feels too thick, thin it with more pasta water. It’s all about that creamy consistency!
Variation
Want to shake things up? Try adding spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of color and flavor. You can also make this dish vegan by using plant-based chicken alternatives and creamy coconut milk instead of heavy cream. The possibilities are endless!
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Just keep the sauce and noodles separate until you’re ready to serve to prevent the pasta from getting soggy.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
You can substitute with half-and-half, but the sauce might be a tad less rich.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes! Just remember to let it cool before putting it in the freezer, and use it within a month for best quality.
📌 Pin this recipe for your next cozy dinner night!
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Ingredients
Method
- Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan while gently simmering.
- Pour in the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
- Return the chicken to the pan, add the cooked linguine and parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adjusting the sauce’s consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving. Serve immediately to enjoy the delightful flavors!
