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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

4.5 from 93 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts cooked with smoky paprika and red pepper flakes, all tossed in a rich butter, garlic, and Parmesan cream sauce. This comforting meal captures bold southwestern flavors with a luscious texture that pairs perfectly with linguine.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz linguine

Chicken and Seasoning

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

Instructions

  1. Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Season and cook chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat and slice the chicken into strips.
  3. Sauté garlic and build sauce base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to combine flavors.
  4. Add cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce is smooth. Adjust the sauce consistency with some reserved pasta water if it is too thick.
  5. Combine chicken and pasta: Add the sliced chicken and cooked linguine back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly. Heat through for an additional minute to meld flavors.
  6. Serve: Plate the pasta and chicken immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water before draining as it helps adjust the sauce to the perfect consistency.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will give the best flavor and texture to the sauce.
  • Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
  • This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

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