Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re on the lookout for a delicious and quick dinner option, Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is the answer! This dish combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked linguine in just 30 minutes. It’s a one-pan meal, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy with family or friends. The flavors mingle beautifully to create a comforting dish that everyone will love.
How to Make Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
-
Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Remember to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
-
Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
-
Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
-
Add Flavor Components: Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan while gently simmering.
-
Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
-
Combine All: Return the chicken to the pan, then add the cooked linguine and Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
-
Final Touches: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy the delightful flavors!
Tips to Make Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- For an extra kick, feel free to add more red pepper flakes or even a splash of hot sauce.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- If you want to add more veggies, spinach or cherry tomatoes are great options.
How to Serve Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Serve it warm right after making it, garnished with extra parsley and Parmesan. This dish can be paired with a simple side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal.
How to Store Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
Variation
You can easily swap out the chicken for shrimp or even a plant-based protein to make it vegetarian. Additionally, you could use gluten-free pasta if needed.
FAQs About Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
-
Can I use a different kind of pasta?
- Absolutely! Feel free to use any pasta shape you prefer, just adjust the cooking time as needed.
-
Is there a way to make this dish lighter?
- You can reduce the amount of heavy cream or substitute it with a lighter cream or milk.
-
Can I freeze this dish?
- While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze leftovers, but note that the texture may change slightly upon reheating.
-
What can I serve with this dish?
- A fresh garden salad or some steamed vegetables pairs nicely, providing a balance to the richness of the dish.
Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
A quick and delicious one-pan meal combining tender chicken, creamy sauce, and linguine in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan while gently simmering.
- Pour in the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
- Return the chicken to the pan, then add the cooked linguine and Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
For an extra kick, add more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce. Variations include swapping chicken for shrimp or using gluten-free pasta.
