Description
A rich and creamy linguine pasta dish tossed with tender chicken and a bold garlic-herb cowboy butter sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
12 oz linguine pasta
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ cup unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 tsp lemon juice (plus zest, optional)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, paprika, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour in heavy cream and optional chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Add linguine and Parmesan. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for a juicier result.
Substitute half-and-half or milk for a lighter sauce.
Try shrimp or steak as alternative proteins.
Add veggies like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers.
Adjust red pepper flakes for more or less heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
