oy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes Recipe
This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender, juicy chicken with a rich and creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, Dijon mustard, and a hint of spice. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting pasta dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet simple to make.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (divided use)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Scrape any browned bits from the pan bottom and gently simmer the mixture.
- Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly but remains creamy.
- Combine All: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the linguine and Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Garnish with remaining parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; add or omit depending on your spice preference.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with thighs; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: chicken linguine, cowboy butter sauce, creamy pasta, quick dinner, garlic butter chicken, easy pasta recipe
