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 hearty meal combines the smoky and spicy flavors of cowboy-style seasoning with smooth linguine pasta, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and satisfying.
- 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 linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and 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.
- Season and cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice it into strips.
- Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth, then let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously 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 adding a little of the reserved pasta water.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Return the sliced chicken breasts and cooked linguine to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce. Heat through for about 1 minute to blend the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, creamy chicken linguine, smoky chicken pasta, butter chicken pasta, easy pasta dinner, smoked paprika chicken, garlic butter pasta
