Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a bold and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken and linguine tossed in a rich, buttery garlic-herb sauce with Dijon mustard, lemon, and spices. It’s a quick and indulgent weeknight dinner ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for heat)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme or rosemary
- Optional: shaved Parmesan, extra herbs, lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion powder (optional), then heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, paprika, parsley, and thyme. Cook for 2–3 minutes until well blended.
- Return the chicken to the skillet along with the linguine. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Simmer everything for 2–3 minutes until heated through. Garnish with Parmesan, herbs, and lemon wedges if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a creamy variation, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or a bit of cream cheese after melting the butter.
- Add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or roasted red peppers for more texture and color.
- Adjust the heat level by changing the amount of red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute the chicken with shrimp, tofu, or omit protein entirely for a vegetarian version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
