Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a delightful dish that brings together creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe is not only quick and easy to make but also packs a punch of flavor that everyone will love. It’s the kind of meal that feels fancy, yet it can be made in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Why Make This Recipe
Making this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. It requires simple ingredients that you likely already have at home. The creamy butter sauce is rich and satisfying, and the chicken and linguine create a complete meal. Plus, it’s customizable with optional ingredients to suit your taste.
How to Make Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Ingredients
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Directions
- Cook the linguine according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any chicken bits stuck to the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
- Stir in the melted butter, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the sauce.
- Mix in the Parmesan cheese, parsley, and chives. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sauce and chicken. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, parsley, chives, and optional red pepper flakes for heat.
How to Serve Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Serve this dish hot straight from the skillet for the best experience. You can place it on individual plates or serve family-style in a large bowl. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, or chives to make it look even more appetizing. It pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread.
How to Store Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
To store leftovers, place the chicken linguine in an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be kept for up to three days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply heat it up in a skillet over low heat. You may want to add a splash of chicken broth or cream to help rehydrate the sauce.
Tips to Make Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken; it should be tender and juicy.
- If you like a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes during the cooking process.
- Don’t skip scraping the pan; those little bits of chicken add lots of flavor to the sauce.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the dish for extra nutrients.
Variation
You can easily switch things up by using shrimp instead of chicken or adding your favorite vegetables. A different type of pasta, like penne or fettuccine, can also work well in this recipe.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any pasta you prefer, such as fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti.
Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce. You can also reduce the amount of butter.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can cook the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time. Just combine them with the pasta when you’re ready to serve.
Now you have all the details to create a delicious Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine that’s sure to impress! Enjoy your cooking!
Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
Chicken
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- optional red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the linguine according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Cooking
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any chicken bits stuck to the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
- Stir in the melted butter, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the sauce.
- Mix in the Parmesan cheese, parsley, and chives. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sauce and chicken. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Serving
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, parsley, chives, and optional red pepper flakes for heat.
