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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

A creamy, savory chicken linguine dish that blends seamlessly with rich butter sauce, perfect for family dinners in just 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts Cut into pieces
  • 12 ounces linguine pasta Use any type of pasta if preferred
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For cooking chicken
  • 3 tablespoons butter Unsalted recommended
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic enhances flavor
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional for heat
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice Freshly squeezed is best
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water For saucy consistency
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese For added creaminess
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped For garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil the linguine according to package directions in salted water. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. 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 while gently simmering.
  3. 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
  1. Return the chicken to the pan and 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.
  2. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

For more vibrant flavor, serve in a shallow bowl and pair with a green salad or garlic bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.