Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine features tender slices of boneless, skinless chicken breast and linguine pasta tossed in a rich, buttery garlic sauce accented with herbs, lemon, and a gentle touch of spice. It’s a bold, flavorful, and satisfying American-style pasta dinner that’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Season the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the sliced chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken slices and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown on the outside and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Build Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, dried parsley, and dried thyme to build the flavorful sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained linguine. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken with the buttery sauce.
- Add Cheese and Adjust Sauce Consistency: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Gradually add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, tossing the pasta until the sauce becomes silky and coats the noodles evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the pasta for garnish. Serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately while hot.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh herbs like parsley and thyme can be used instead of dried for a fresher flavor.
- Reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce for better coating and texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
