Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy butter sauce with hints of garlic, Dijon mustard, and lemon. Tossed with perfectly cooked linguine and finished with fresh parsley and parmesan, this robust pasta meal delivers a delightful balance of savory and tangy flavors, perfect for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

Pasta

12 ounces linguine pasta
Olive oil (a little, for tossing pasta)

Sauce

3 tablespoons unsalted 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
1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (divided into half for sauce and half for garnish)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Cooking Pasta: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the linguine pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to use later in the sauce. Drain the pasta and toss lightly with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Cooking Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Preparing Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest for a bright flavor. Pour in the chicken broth or reserved pasta water while scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan for added depth. Then, add the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir well and cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combining Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the linguine pasta. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley and extra parmesan cheese for serving. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Use unsalted butter to better control the saltiness of the dish.
Reserve pasta water before draining—it helps to loosen and enrich the sauce if it thickens too much.
Feel free to adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spiciness level according to your preference.
For added veggie variety, consider tossing in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach with the chicken.
Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, cowboy butter sauce, easy dinner recipes, pasta with chicken