Description
A creamy, flavorful Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine that dazzles the taste buds and is perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the linguine. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then set the pasta aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Use a wooden spoon to 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. Add the cooked linguine and parmesan cheese, tossing everything together to ensure even coating. Adjust sauce consistency with additional reserved pasta water as needed.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Garnish with the remaining parsley and an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken with spices and lemon juice for 30 minutes before cooking. Use freshly grated Parmesan for a richer taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken, linguine, easy recipe, comfort food, quick meal