Description
If you’re craving a bold, rich, and comforting pasta dish, this Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is your answer. This easy recipe blends the irresistible kick of cowboy butter with creamy sauce, juicy seared chicken, and tender linguine for a dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, cozy date nights, or when you want to treat yourself to a decadent, satisfying bowl of pasta. This dish is packed with flavor, simple to make, and guaranteed to be a hit.
Ingredients
400g linguine
2 chicken breasts (or thighs), diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Stir in smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
5. Pour in the cream and stir. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
6. Return the chicken to the pan and toss in the sauce.
7. Add the cooked linguine and reserved pasta water (a splash at a time) to loosen the sauce and coat evenly.
8. Finish with chopped parsley, season to taste, and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce—it melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat. Start small and build up if needed.
Don’t skip the lemon juice—it balances the richness and brightens the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1¼ cups
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: quick dinner, creamy pasta, chicken linguine, cowboy butter recipe, easy recipe, spicy pasta, weeknight dinner ideas, comfort food, easy pasta recipe