Description
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a delicious and hearty pasta dish featuring tender, spiced chicken strips tossed in a rich, buttery sauce infused with garlic, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese. This easy stovetop recipe offers a perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors for a satisfying dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water for later use.
- Season and Sear Chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and sear until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5–6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Build Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, approximately 3–4 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the seared chicken strips to the skillet, tossing to coat them evenly with the creamy sauce. Add the cooked linguine and a splash of the reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is well coated and warmed through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch if desired, and serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine warm.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach to the sauce for additional flavor and texture.
- Swap linguine with fettuccine or spaghetti if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Fusion
