Description
A quick and creamy linguine dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon, and parmesan cheese, ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner packed with flavorful ingredients and easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 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
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Remember to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavor Components: Stir in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or reserved pasta water). Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan while gently simmering.
- Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
- Combine All: Return the chicken to the pan, add the cooked linguine and parmesan cheese. Toss everything together to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving. Serve immediately to enjoy the delightful flavors!
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a smoother texture.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; add them to taste for a bit of heat.
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor and presentation.
- Reheat gently to avoid curdling the cream sauce.
- Parmesan cheese adds saltiness, so season carefully at the end.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken linguine, easy chicken pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner, one skillet pasta
