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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

4.9 from 113 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender, spiced chicken breasts cooked to perfection and tossed with linguine in a rich garlic butter sauce enhanced with smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese. This comforting one-skillet meal balances savory, smoky, and tangy notes perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz linguine

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 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

  1. Cook Pasta: 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.
  2. Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly 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 through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice into strips.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth, then let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Finish Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and cook while stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
  5. Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet along with the drained linguine. Toss everything together to coat well in the sauce and heat through for about 1 minute.
  6. Serve: Plate the creamy chicken linguine and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
  • Reserve pasta water to help thin the sauce if necessary.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to keep it juicy before slicing.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.

Keywords: chicken linguine, creamy pasta, smoked paprika chicken, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, cowboy butter sauce