Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
This creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine is a rich and flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken breasts with a luscious sauce made from butter, cream, Parmesan, and a hint of spice. Perfect for a comforting yet elegant dinner, this recipe pairs perfectly seasoned chicken with al dente linguine tossed in a savory, slightly spicy sauce with fresh parsley and lemon juice for brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Cook Linguine: Boil linguine in salted water until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the linguine and set aside.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the cubed chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper to taste. Toss to coat evenly.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
- Toss Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked chicken and linguine to the sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley, and lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with additional parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu for alternate protein options.
- Add vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes while simmering the sauce to boost nutrition and color.
- Omit cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes for a milder version of the dish.
- Use gluten-free linguine to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
- For a lighter option, swap heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
