Print

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 80 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish that combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a creamy garlic butter sauce infused with smoked paprika and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Tossed with al dente linguine and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this dish delivers a comforting, rich taste perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz linguine
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water

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

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Boil salted water and cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the linguine and set aside.
  2. Season and cook chicken: Season both sides of 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, then cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove chicken from the skillet and slice into strips.
  3. Sauté garlic and build sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes, reducing slightly.
  4. Add cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If needed, adjust the sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water a little at a time.
  5. Combine chicken and pasta: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce, then add the cooked linguine. Toss everything together to coat well with the sauce and heat through for about 1 minute.
  6. Serve: Plate the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine immediately, garnished generously with chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness to your preference.
  • Reserve pasta water helps to adjust sauce thickness and helps sauce cling better to the pasta.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though sauce will be less rich.
  • Chicken breasts can be butterflied or pounded for even cooking if very thick.
  • Parmesan cheese can be freshly grated for best flavor.

Keywords: Chicken linguine, creamy pasta, smoked paprika chicken, garlic butter sauce, dinner recipe, easy stovetop pasta

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine-recipe/