Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a flavorful and hearty pasta dish featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of smoky paprika and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Tossed with perfectly cooked linguine and fresh herbs, this American-inspired main course is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce & Seasonings
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the sauce is well combined.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked linguine and toss everything together, coating the pasta and chicken in the butter sauce. If the pasta looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Stir in the chopped parsley, chives, and Parmesan cheese if using.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnishing with extra fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese if desired for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- This dish is rich, garlicky, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Swap linguine with fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.
- Add spinach or sautéed mushrooms to incorporate extra vegetables.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
