Description
Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with smoked paprika and red pepper flakes, tossed in a rich Parmesan and cream sauce with garlic and Dijon mustard. This comforting and easy-to-make meal combines Italian linguine with buttery, spiced chicken for a delicious dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce and Cooking
- 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 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.
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts 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 5-6 minutes on each side until fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and slice into strips.
- Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- 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 cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency with some of the reserved pasta water.
- Toss together: Add the sliced chicken and cooked linguine back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat all the ingredients evenly and heat through for about one minute.
- Serve: Plate the linguine and chicken, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth texture.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed for perfect consistency.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with thighs for juicier meat.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy pasta, chicken pasta, easy dinner, Italian pasta dish
