oy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy, tangy cowboy butter sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish offers a delightful blend of garlic, paprika, Dijon mustard, and lemon, finished with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese for a comforting yet vibrant meal.
- Author: lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Protein & Pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Butter Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and then set the pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavor Components: Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and ½ cup chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape up any browned bits from the skillet while gently simmering the mixture.
- Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
- Combine All: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked linguine and ½ cup grated parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese. Serve immediately to enjoy the rich and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with reserved pasta water to maintain richness without extra sodium.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference or omit for a milder dish.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting texture.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a creamy dairy-free alternative.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, linguine recipe, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, garlic butter sauce, Italian-American cuisine, chicken linguine