Description
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful American pasta dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a smoky, buttery sauce infused with garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and a hint of lemon. Tossed with linguine and Parmesan cheese, this comforting stovetop recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: In a bowl, combine salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Toss the chicken strips in this seasoning mix. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 1–2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Lower the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream, blending thoroughly. Once smooth, add grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Continue to simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Combine and Toss: Return the cooked linguine and chicken strips to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated with the creamy cowboy butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken to save time and still enjoy great flavor.
- For extra nutrition and flavor, add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the sauce.
- This dish is rich and indulgent—pair it with a crisp green salad to balance the meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
