Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine features tender chicken breast and linguine tossed in a rich, buttery garlic sauce infused with herbs, lemon, Dijon mustard, and a touch of spice. This hearty and flavorful pasta dish combines the comfort of creamy butter sauce with bold seasoning, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
- Season Chicken: Season the sliced chicken breast evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika to infuse flavor before cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the seasoned chicken slices and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, dried parsley, and dried thyme into the butter and garlic mixture to create the sauce base.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked linguine and toss everything together to coat thoroughly.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time and mix until the sauce reaches a silky, comfortable consistency that clings to the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while warm and flavorful.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to increase or decrease the spiciness according to your preference.
- For a fresher taste, substitute dried herbs with freshly chopped parsley and thyme if available.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness; the starch helps to bind the sauce to the linguine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
