Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious butter and garlic sauce with hints of Dijon mustard, lemon, and Parmesan. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that combines hearty protein with comfort food vibes and a touch of zest.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
Sauce
- 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 (divided)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Remember to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside for later use.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes, sautéing 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 and gently simmer the mixture 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 slightly thickens.
- Combine All: Slice or chop the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the cooked linguine and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving immediately to enjoy the savory and creamy flavors.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a silky finish.
- Red pepper flakes add subtle heat; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Cook chicken evenly to ensure it remains juicy and tender.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the sauce at its creamiest.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, linguine pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy pasta recipes, quick chicken dinner, garlic butter sauce, chicken linguine recipe