Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a quick, creamy, and flavor-packed pasta dish featuring juicy chicken, garlicky cowboy butter, and fresh herbs tossed with linguine. This easy weeknight dinner feels indulgent and special, yet comes together in about 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz linguine (regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp chives, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Extra lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until just al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain. Toss linguine with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- While pasta cooks, dice chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat dry. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- In a small bowl, mash together softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, parsley, chives, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth and creamy.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes total). Transfer chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add cowboy butter mixture to the skillet and let it melt, scraping up any browned bits. Once melted and bubbly, return chicken to the pan and toss to coat.
- Add drained linguine and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss well until pasta is glossy and coated, adding more water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
- Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges.
Notes
Use fresh garlic and herbs for the best flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, use GF pasta; for dairy-free, use vegan butter and Parmesan. Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it juicy. Prep all ingredients before starting for a smoother cooking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe (approximately 2 cups)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 670
- Fat: 29
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 53
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 36
Keywords: cowboy butter, chicken linguine, creamy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, garlic butter chicken, comfort food, pasta recipe