Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with smoked paprika and red pepper flakes. Tossed in a rich butter, garlic, and Parmesan cream sauce, this linguine meal offers a perfect balance of spice, tang, and comfort. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a quick and satisfying dinner option that combines Southern-inspired flavors with Italian pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and slice into strips.
- Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth, then simmer for 2-3 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by gradually adding the reserved pasta water.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Add the sliced chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Then add the drained linguine and toss well to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the creamy sauce. Heat through for about 1 minute to meld flavors.
- Serve: Spoon the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine onto plates and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your desired spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if needed.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Chicken breasts can be swapped for thighs if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- If you want a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce won’t be as thick.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy chicken pasta, smoked paprika chicken, garlic butter pasta, easy chicken linguine recipe
