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
Scale
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