Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken and a zesty, buttery sauce enriched with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. Quick to prepare, it’s perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook until golden and done, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the softened butter. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the skillet, add drained linguine, and toss everything together. Add reserved pasta water as needed. Stir in lemon juice, Parmesan, and parsley.
- Serve immediately, garnished with more parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by varying cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Swap chicken for shrimp, steak, or veggies for variation.
- Use any pasta type like fettuccine or penne if preferred.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
