Sizzling Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe for Pasta Lovers
Crafting a mouthwatering cowboy butter chicken linguine sparks culinary adventure in your kitchen.
Unexpected ingredients dance together, creating a bold fusion of flavors.
Ranch-inspired seasoning adds a wild twist to classic pasta dishes.
Tender chicken pieces nestle among silky linguine strands, promising delightful textures.
Creamy butter sauce coats each strand with rich, comforting goodness.
Southwestern spices bring a zesty kick that surprises and delights.
Your dinner table awaits this irresistible masterpiece that combines rustic charm with gourmet flair.
Why Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Is Full of Bold Flavor
What Goes Into Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Main Ingredients:Seasoning and Spices:Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt.
Cook the linguine until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, following the package guidelines.
Carefully scoop out a half cup of pasta water before draining the noodles.
Set the pasta aside and keep the reserved water nearby.
Step 2: Season and Sizzle the Chicken
Generously coat chicken breasts with a spicy blend of seasonings.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the chicken until it’s golden brown and completely cooked through, about 5-6 minutes on each side.
Let the chicken rest for a moment, then slice into tender bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Craft the Cowboy Butter Sauce
Reduce the skillet heat to medium and melt butter.
Toss in minced garlic and sauté until it becomes wonderfully fragrant.
Splash in Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and chicken broth.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the pan.
Allow the sauce to simmer and develop its flavors.
Step 4: Create a Creamy Cheese Blend
Pour in heavy cream and stir thoroughly.
Let the sauce simmer and slightly thicken.
Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts completely and creates a smooth, luxurious sauce.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach the perfect consistency.
Step 5: Bring the Dish Together
Return the sliced chicken to the skillet.
Add the drained linguine and toss everything together, ensuring each strand is beautifully coated with the creamy sauce.
Let the pasta cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle and develop.
Step 6: Finish with Flair
Remove the skillet from heat.
Scatter fresh chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness.
Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese on the side for those who want an additional cheesy touch.
Tips for Creamy and Spicy Linguine Success
Best Way to Store Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
What to Serve with Chicken Linguine
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Variations to Try
Protein Swap Variations:Dietary Adaptations:FAQs
Cowboy butter is a zesty, flavor-packed sauce featuring bold ingredients like garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. It adds a spicy and tangy kick that traditional butter sauces lack.
Absolutely! While linguine works great, you can substitute with fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne. Just ensure you cook the pasta al dente to maintain the right texture.
The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from red pepper flakes and smoked paprika. You can easily adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences.
Yes, this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine can be prepared ahead of time. Store the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta, and reheat gently to prevent the sauce from separating. The dish stays delicious for 2-3 days when refrigerated properly.
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Cowboy butter chicken linguine brings rustic ranch-style flair to classic Italian pasta, blending bold southwestern spices with creamy chicken. Rich, zesty flavors combine in this hearty dish that delivers comfort and excitement with each savory bite you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces (340 grams) linguine
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Initiate pasta preparation by bringing a generously salted large pot of water to a rolling boil. Submerge linguine and cook until perfectly tender, approximately 8-9 minutes. Carefully extract ½ cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining pasta completely.
- Generously season chicken breasts with a robust blend of salt, smoky paprika, black pepper, and fiery red pepper flakes. Sear proteins in a sizzling skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, cooking 5-6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked through. Allow meat to rest briefly, then slice into delectable bite-sized morsels.
- Reduce skillet temperature to medium and introduce butter, allowing it to melt luxuriously. Introduce minced garlic and toast until aromatic, roughly 30 seconds. Deglaze pan by incorporating Dijon mustard, bright lemon juice, and savory chicken broth, meticulously scraping accumulated browned fragments from cooking surface.
- Stream heavy cream into the developing sauce, stirring consistently. Permit liquid to simmer and slightly concentrate for 2-3 minutes. Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan, whisking until smoothly integrated. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Reunite sliced chicken with the velvety sauce, then gently fold in drained linguine. Ensure each pasta strand receives thorough sauce coverage. Allow ingredients to harmonize for an additional 1-2 minutes over gentle heat.
- Immediately transfer to serving dishes, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and offer additional Parmesan for enthusiastic diners to customize their plate.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice-sensitive diners or those craving bold flavors.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting linguine with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Enhance protein flexibility by swapping chicken with shrimp, tofu, or plant-based chicken for diverse dietary preferences.
- Prevent sauce separation by adding cheese gradually and stirring consistently during the melting process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Olivia Bennett
Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Schoolcraft College
With an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Schoolcraft College and a natural knack for teaching, Olivia Bennett’s all about making home cooking feel possible, even on your busiest day.
Her thing? Recipes that are budget-friendly, season-forward, and full of Southern warmth. Whether it’s a roasted veggie bowl or a five-ingredient skillet bake, Olivia makes sure it’s simple, satisfying, and something you’ll want to make again tomorrow.
When she’s not shooting step-by-step videos or testing spice blends, she’s out foraging, flipping through old cookbooks, or throwing laid-back dinner parties with a BYO-mason-jar theme.