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Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes

Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in 30 Minutes

A quick and delicious Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe that comes together in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • pot for boiling pasta

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces linguine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Boil the linguine according to the package directions in salted water. Don’t forget to reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper before cooking for 5-7 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir gently, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
  • 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.
  • 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

Always save some pasta water before draining; it helps to loosen the sauce and makes it cling better to the cowboy butter chicken linguine. Sauté garlic until just fragrant, not browned, to prevent bitterness from spoiling your creamy sauce. Tailor the flavor by adjusting red pepper flakes. Omit for a milder dish or increase for more heat, depending on your family’s preference. To rehydrate leftover sauce, add a splash of milk or water when reheating; this keeps the creamy texture smooth and delicious. For optimal texture, freeze the sauce and pasta separately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 520mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
Keyword 30 minutes meals, chicken linguine, cowboy butter, easy dinner, pasta recipes, quick recipes
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