Description
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is rich, bold, and satisfying. Juicy chicken, a smoky-spiced kick, and velvety butter sauce coat every strand of pasta for a weeknight-worthy comfort meal.
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Chicken:
12 oz linguine
1 lb chicken breast or thighs, sliced into strips
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
4 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped parsley
½ cup heavy cream (optional, for added richness)
¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the rest.
2. Season sliced chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through, 4–5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute.
5. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.
6. Optional: Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
7. Return chicken to skillet, toss to coat.
8. Add cooked linguine and splash in reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
9. Finish with chopped parsley and optional Parmesan.
10. Serve hot.
Notes
Use thighs for extra juiciness; breasts for leaner results.
Skip cream for a lighter version or add it for extra indulgence.
Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for a veggie boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken pasta, creamy linguine recipe, easy skillet pasta