Description
This Flavor-Packed Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a hearty and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a smoky, spicy butter sauce. Infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne, this linguine recipe brings a delightful southwestern twist to a classic creamy chicken pasta, perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces linguine
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 0.5 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly and combine flavors.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything: Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked linguine. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and achieve desired consistency.
