Description

Get ready for the ultimate comfort food twist with this Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine — a rich, spicy, and buttery pasta dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners or indulgent weekend meals. Tender chicken breast is pan-seared and tossed in a luscious cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, Dijon, lemon juice, smoked paprika, herbs, and cream. The silky linguine wraps it all together into a bowl of next-level deliciousness. This easy recipe is packed with bold flavor and ready in under 40 minutes. Great for quick dinner ideas, creamy pasta cravings, or when you want an easy recipe that tastes like a restaurant-quality dish at home.

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breast, diced

12 ounces linguine pasta

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.

2. While the pasta cooks, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, stir in garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 1–2 minutes.

4. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to slightly thicken.

5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add Parmesan cheese and simmer until melted and creamy, about 2–3 minutes more.

6. Add the drained linguine to the skillet and gently toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

7. Finish with fresh parsley and black pepper. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Use room temperature cream to prevent the sauce from breaking when added to the skillet.

Don’t skip the reserved pasta water — it’s the secret to that silky, restaurant-style finish.

You can prep the chicken and cowboy butter sauce ahead of time for an even quicker dinner.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 680
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 580mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: creamy pasta, cowboy butter, chicken linguine, easy dinner, quick meal, spicy pasta, comfort food