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COWBOY BUTTER CHICKEN LINGUINE RECIPE centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Thomas Baker

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe: Quick Delicious Pasta

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is a flavorful and easy dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender chicken with a creamy, buttery sauce and al dente linguine, it’s an ideal Something To Cook For Dinner or a go-to Dinner Ideas With Precooked Chicken. Enjoy a comforting meal that’s quick to prepare, making it a great addition to your Easy Weekly Dinners or Family Dinner Recipes Chicken collection.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine following the package instructions, reserving half a cup of the pasta water before draining. Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat and season the chicken with salt and pepper; cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until golden and fully cooked, then transfer it to a plate. In the same skillet, melt the butter and add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for around one minute until aromatic but not browned. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water, scraping the skillet to lift any browned bits, and let it simmer gently. Pour in the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley, stirring gently and cooking until the sauce slightly thickens, about 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan along with the drained linguine and parmesan cheese, tossing thoroughly to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired sauce consistency. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper as necessary, then sprinkle with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan before serving immediately to enjoy all the vibrant flavors.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce and make it stick better to the pasta. Be careful to sauté the garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to match your preferred spice level, or omit entirely for a milder flavor. When reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or water to keep the creamy sauce smooth. For freezing, separate the pasta and sauce to preserve texture when reheated.