Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce

Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce

Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, rich flavors, and pasta into a comforting meal. This recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. The creamy and buttery sauce coats the linguine beautifully, making each bite a true delight.

Why Make This Recipe

You should make this recipe because it brings together simple ingredients to create a delicious meal. The Cowboy Butter Sauce adds a unique twist that elevates the entire dish. It’s quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights, and it’s sure to impress anyone you serve it to.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces linguine pasta
• 1½ pounds chicken breast or thigh strips
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Extra chopped parsley and lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then set the pasta aside.
2. Pat the chicken strips dry and season them with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook without stirring for 3–4 minutes until golden brown. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Once the butter is melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
5. Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in smoked paprika, red-pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and chopped parsley. Cook for 1–2 minutes while stirring to combine the sauce.
6. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat. Warm through for 1–2 minutes.
7. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and gently fold in with tongs. Add up to ¼ cup of reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
8. Sprinkle Parmesan over the pasta and chicken; toss until it is melted and creamy. Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice to taste.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and lemon wedges.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce

Serve the creamy chicken linguine hot, directly from the skillet or in a large serving bowl. Garnish with extra chopped parsley and lemon wedges on the side for a fresh touch. Pair this dish with a crisp salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

How to Store Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce

To store leftovers, place the cooled pasta and chicken in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Tips to Make Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce

• Use fresh chicken for the best flavor.
• Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes to the sauce for extra nutrition.
• Adjust the amount of crushed red-pepper flakes to control the spice level to your liking.

Variation

You can swap out the chicken for shrimp or a plant-based protein for a different twist. Additionally, using whole grain or gluten-free pasta can accommodate various dietary needs.

FAQs

1. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time, but it’s best to toss the pasta and sauce just before serving to keep everything fresh.

2. What can I use if I don’t have linguine?
You can substitute linguine with any pasta you have on hand, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne.

3. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Absolutely! The creamy and buttery flavors make it appealing to children, and you can adjust the spices according to their taste preferences.

Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce

A delightful dish that combines tender chicken and linguine with a rich Cowboy Butter Sauce, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 620 kcal

Ingredients

  

Pasta

• 12 ounces linguine pasta Cook until al dente

Chicken

• 1.5 pounds chicken breast or thigh strips Pat dry and season with salt and pepper

Cooking Essentials

• 2 tablespoons olive oil For frying chicken
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter To create the sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced Adds flavor to the sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Provides a smoky flavor
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes Optional for heat
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard For tanginess
• 0.5 juice of lemon Fresh lemon juice for flavor
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley For sauce flavor
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese To create a creamy finish

Garnish

• to taste extra chopped parsley For garnish
• as needed lemon wedges For serving

Seasoning

• to taste salt and pepper Adjust to preference

Instructions

 

Cooking the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
• Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente (about 8–10 minutes).
• Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then set the pasta aside.

Cooking the Chicken

• Pat the chicken strips dry and season them with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the chicken in a single layer and cook without stirring for 3–4 minutes until golden brown.
• Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until cooked through.
• Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely.

Making the Sauce

• Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet.
• Once the butter is melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
• Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in smoked paprika, red-pepper flakes (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and chopped parsley.
• Cook for 1–2 minutes while stirring to combine the sauce.
• Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat. Warm through for 1–2 minutes.

Combining Ingredients

• Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and gently fold in with tongs.
• Add up to ¼ cup of reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
• Sprinkle Parmesan over the pasta and chicken; toss until it is melted and creamy.
• Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice to taste.

Serving

• Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and lemon wedges.

Notes

Use fresh chicken for the best flavor. Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes for extra nutrition. Adjust the amount of crushed red-pepper flakes to control the spice level. You can swap out the chicken for shrimp or a plant-based protein for a different twist. Additionally, using whole grain or gluten-free pasta can accommodate various dietary needs.

Keyword Cowboy Butter Sauce, Creamy Chicken Linguine, Easy Dinner, family meal, Pasta Recipe