Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta Linguine is a flavorful and creamy dish featuring tender chicken strips tossed in a zesty cowboy butter sauce with garlic, spices, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting pasta recipe combines bold southwestern flavors with a rich, buttery sauce that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz linguine
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Prepare linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Season and cook chicken: Season the sliced chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken strips until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make cowboy butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is fragrant, stirring frequently to combine all flavors.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss well to coat all pieces evenly with the cowboy butter sauce.
- Combine pasta and cheese: Add the cooked linguine, grated Parmesan cheese, and a splash of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything thoroughly to create a creamy, well-coated pasta dish. Add more pasta water as needed for consistency.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top before serving warm.
Notes
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to control the heat level.
- Reserve pasta water to help create a smooth, creamy sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger servings.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
