Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is rich, creamy, and full of bold garlic butter flavor. Itโs a 25-minute comfort dinner straight from Grandmaโs handwritten recipe notebook. Simple, satisfying, and always a favorite at the table.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 Chicken breasts Boneless, skinless, sliced thin
1 tsp Smoked paprika Adds depth and warmth
1 tsp Garlic powder Adds rich, savory flavor
1/2 tsp Onion powder Subtle aromatic base
1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes Adjust to your spice level
Salt and pepper To taste
1 tbsp Olive oil For cooking the chicken
For the Pasta and Sauce:
8 oz Linguine Use your favorite pasta if preferred
4 tbsp Butter Use real butter for best flavor
4 cloves Garlic Fresh and finely minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard Adds subtle tang
2 tbsp Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
1/2 cup Heavy cream Optional for creamy finish
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated is best
2 tbsp Fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish
Red pepper flakes Optional for garnish
1 cup Reserved pasta water Use to thin sauce if needed
Instructions
1. Season chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter, add minced garlic, and cook until fragrant.
5. Whisk in Dijon mustard and lemon juice, then slowly add heavy cream if using. Simmer until slightly thickened.
6. Add linguine and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding pasta water if needed.
7. Return chicken to the skillet, toss everything together, and garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes.
Notes
For dairy-free, use vegan butter and coconut cream, replacing Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
Reduce heat by using sweet paprika and omitting extra red pepper flakes.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently with cream or water.
Swap chicken for shrimp or tofu for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 300 g
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg