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oy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe

oy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe

4.9 from 22 reviews

This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender chicken breast with a creamy, flavorful cowboy butter sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week. The sauce balances garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, lemon zest, and parmesan, creating a rich yet bright flavor profile that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

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

Pasta

  • 12 ounces linguine pasta

Cowboy Butter 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
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set the cooked pasta aside.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the pan bottom and gently simmer the sauce.
  5. Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Combine All: Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with the linguine and grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency.
  7. Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese. Serve immediately to enjoy the flavorful dish.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water before draining; it helps adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
  • Use fresh garlic and freshly grated parmesan for best flavor.
  • Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to your preferred spice level.
  • Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it will be less rich.
  • If chicken broth is unavailable, reserved pasta water works well to maintain moisture and flavor.
  • For gluten-free, substitute linguine with gluten-free pasta of choice.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cowboy butter chicken, linguine recipe, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, 30 minute meals