Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a 30-minute creamy, bold, savory pasta dish featuring tender chicken and garlicky butter sauce with herbs and a hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz linguine (or pasta of choice)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Grated Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Cook linguine according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat evenly.
- Stir in parsley and cream (if using) for a velvety finish.
- Top with grated Parmesan and serve warm.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to emulsify the sauce and adjust thickness as needed.
- The heavy cream is optional; use it for extra creaminess or skip for a lighter version.
- Adjust spice by varying the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Can substitute with rotisserie chicken or add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra color and nutrition.
- Parmesan adds a salty finish—add gradually to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy pasta, garlic butter sauce, chicken linguine, 30-minute dinner, easy weeknight dinner, parmesan, parsley