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Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – Creamy, Zesty 30-Minute Dinner

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Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, zesty, and comforting pasta dish made with tender chicken, rich butter sauce, garlic, lemon, and parmesan. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights while still feeling indulgent and flavorful.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Melt butter in the same skillet. Add garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté briefly.
  4. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth. Simmer while scraping the pan.
  5. Add heavy cream and half the parsley. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Return chicken, add linguine and parmesan. Toss to coat, adding pasta water if needed.
  7. Season, garnish with remaining parsley and extra parmesan, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Always save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
  • Do not brown garlic to avoid bitterness.
  • Adjust spice level by changing red pepper flakes.
  • Add milk when reheating to restore creaminess.
  • Freeze sauce and pasta separately for best texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://dinner.lillyrecipes.com/easy-cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine-creamy-zesty-30-minute-dinner/