Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a hearty and flavorful American main course combining tender bite-sized chicken pieces with a smoky, spicy butter sauce tossed with perfectly cooked linguine pasta. This dish features a rich garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper flake-infused butter sauce balanced with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, finished with Parmesan cheese for a creamy, satisfying pasta dinner that comes together easily on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine pasta
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water then drain the rest.
- Season and Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, chopped parsley, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained linguine and toss everything together. If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream at the end before serving.
- This dish is delicious with shrimp or steak as an alternative to chicken.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh parsley can be added as garnish to brighten the flavors and presentation.
