Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a buttery garlic sauce, enhanced by Dijon mustard and lemon zest. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels both gourmet and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, until cooked through and golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and let rest, then slice thinly.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest, mixing well to combine.
- Combine Liquids: Pour in chicken broth (or reserved pasta water) and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish the Sauce: Add grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley to the sauce and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Linguine and Chicken: Add cooked linguine and sliced chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated with the buttery creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with extra parsley or parmesan if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use chicken broth for added flavor or pasta water as a convenient substitute.
- Red pepper flakes add mild heat; omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano for a different flavor profile.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but sauce may be less rich.
Keywords: chicken linguine, creamy pasta, cowboy butter sauce, easy dinner, quick chicken pasta