Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked in a buttery garlic sauce with a hint of smoked paprika and red pepper flakes. Tossed with linguine and Parmesan cheese, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz linguine

Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Cook the linguine: Boil salted water and cook the linguine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare and cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Remove from heat and slice into strips.
Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Finish the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce thickens. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding some of the reserved pasta water.
Combine chicken and pasta: Add the sliced chicken and drained linguine back into the skillet. Toss everything together well to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the sauce. Heat through for an additional minute.
Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce consistency as needed for perfect creaminess.
Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and melting quality.
Ensure chicken is cooked through by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
You can swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less creamy.
Serve with a side salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.

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

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy chicken pasta, smoked paprika chicken, linguine recipe, easy dinner, stovetop pasta dish