Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender, spiced chicken breasts cooked with garlic, smoked paprika, and a butter-based sauce. Tossed with linguine and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, this hearty meal is garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of freshness and elegance, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or weekend treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz linguine

Chicken

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

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the linguine and set aside.
Prepare the 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, then cook chicken for approximately 5-6 minutes per side or until fully cooked through and juices run clear. Remove chicken from skillet and slice into strips.
Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, avoiding browning. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth, letting the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
Finish the Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and whisk constantly until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, adjust consistency by stirring in reserved pasta water a little at a time.
Toss Pasta and Chicken: Return sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add drained linguine and toss well to coat every strand evenly in the sauce. Heat through for an additional minute to meld flavors.
Serve: Plate the linguine and chicken mixture immediately, garnished generously with chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness.

Notes

For a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes to your preference.
You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
If sauce thickens too much, add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen it.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy chicken pasta, smoked paprika chicken, Parmesan cream sauce, easy dinner recipe