Description
Get ready to fall in love with Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine — a bold, creamy, and flavor-packed fusion of Western flair and Italian comfort. This dish features tender chicken strips seared to golden perfection and tossed in a rich cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, Dijon, herbs, smoked paprika, lemon, and just the right touch of heat. Wrapped around al dente linguine, it’s the perfect easy dinner idea for busy weeknights, indulgent weekends, or when you want a comfort food recipe that hits all the right notes. Whether you’re after a quick dinner, a cozy meal, or exciting food ideas that break the routine, this one’s a guaranteed hit.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz linguine
- Salted water for boiling
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Toss chicken with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sear chicken in a hot skillet over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- Boil linguine in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add garlic, red pepper flakes, onion powder, paprika, and Dijon mustard. Cook until fragrant.
- Stir in lemon juice, parsley, chives, and heavy cream. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the pan, add pasta, and toss with sauce. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
- Add Parmesan if using, and mix until melted.
- Serve hot with garnishes like parsley, lemon zest, or black pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes