Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts in a rich garlic butter sauce infused with smoked paprika and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. Tossed with linguine and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this dish delivers a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz linguine

Chicken & Seasoning

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

Sauce

2 tbsp olive oil
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 for garnish

Instructions

Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare and cook chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice into strips once slightly rested.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
Finish the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding some of the reserved pasta water.
Toss pasta and chicken: Add the sliced chicken and drained linguine directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated and heated through, about 1 minute.
Serve: Plate the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Notes

Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
Reserve pasta water is key for adjusting sauce consistency to your liking.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting.
Chicken breasts can be substituted with thigh meat if preferred for a juicier texture.
Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken linguine, Cowboy butter chicken, Creamy chicken pasta, Garlic butter sauce, Smoked paprika chicken, Easy dinner recipes