Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a bold and creamy pasta dish that combines garlicky, herbed cowboy butter with tender chicken and linguine noodles. This rich, flavorful dinner comes together in just 35 minutes and is perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 12 oz linguine pasta
– 4 tbsp unsalted butter
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp Dijon mustard
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 tsp lemon zest
– 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
– 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
– 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
– 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking the chicken)
– Grated Parmesan, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the linguine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute to combine flavors.
5. Lower the heat and add heavy cream. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Stir in fresh parsley.
6. Return the chicken to the skillet, then add the cooked linguine. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Garnish with additional parsley and grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
– Use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood twist.
– For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
– Add spinach or roasted veggies for extra nutrients.
– Adjust the spice level by changing the amount of cayenne and red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken linguine, cowboy butter pasta, creamy chicken linguine, cowboy butter recipe, spicy butter chicken pasta, chicken pasta dinner