Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

why make this recipe

This dish cooks fast and tastes rich. The lemon, garlic, and butter make a bright, bold sauce. It uses simple store items and comes together in one pan plus pasta. If you like quick chicken dinners, this recipe fits well with other easy meals like your air fryer chicken guide for weeknights.

introduction

Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine mixes tender chicken, a buttery garlicky sauce, and creamy pasta. You get a hearty meal in about 30 minutes. The sauce is creamy but fresh from lemon and parsley. Try it when you want a simple, tasty main dish. For more quick chicken ideas, see 7 quick easy chicken meals.

how to make Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

This recipe is simple: cook the pasta, brown the chicken, make the cowboy butter sauce in the same pan, then toss everything with cream and parmesan. Follow the steps below and adjust salt and pepper to your taste.

Ingredients :

• 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

Directions :

1. Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
2. Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter, add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Simmer gently while scraping any browned bits from the pan.
5. Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in heavy cream and half of the parsley. Stir gently and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
6. Combine All: Return the chicken to the pan, add cooked linguine and parmesan cheese, and toss to coat evenly, adjusting the sauce’s consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
7. Final Touches: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining parsley and extra parmesan before serving. Serve immediately.

how to serve Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Serve hot on plates or in a large bowl. Add extra parmesan and a lemon wedge if you like more brightness. A simple green salad or steamed vegetables go well. For quick sides and other easy dinners, check these easy dinner ideas.

how to store Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Let the pasta cool to room temperature. Put it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. Do not freeze cream-based pasta; the texture may change.

tips to make Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

• Cut the chicken into even pieces so it cooks at the same time.
• Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce if it gets too thick.
• Use fresh lemon and parsley for the best flavor.
• Don’t overcook the garlic; cook it just until fragrant.
• Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt and pepper.

variation (if any)

• Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
• Veggie boost: Toss in spinach, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms when you add the cream.
• Lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce butter by 1 tablespoon.

FAQs

Q: Can I use thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes. Boneless skinless thighs work well and add more flavor. Adjust cooking time until they are done.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: You can swap butter for olive oil and use a dairy-free cream or coconut milk. Parmesan has no exact substitute, but nutritional yeast adds a cheesy note.

Q: How do I reheat leftovers without drying them out?
A: Reheat in a skillet on low with a splash of water or broth. Stir until heated through.

Q: Can I make the sauce ahead?
A: You can make the sauce, cool it, and store it in the fridge for one day. Reheat slowly and add a little water to bring back the texture.

Conclusion

For another easy take on this dish and extra tips, see Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – I Am Homesteader.

Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

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• Author: kaoucheegmail-com
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: None

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Description

A quick and creamy chicken linguine dish with a buttery garlic sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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

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Instructions

1. Boil the linguine according to package directions in salted water. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter, add minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Simmer gently while scraping browned bits from the pan.
5. Pour in heavy cream and half of the parsley. Stir gently and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
6. Return chicken to the pan, add cooked linguine and parmesan cheese, and toss to coat evenly, adjusting sauce consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining parsley and extra parmesan before serving. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve hot with extra parmesan and a lemon wedge. Pair with a green salad or steamed vegetables.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: chicken pasta, quick dinner, creamy sauce, linguine recipes, cowboy butter