Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender seared chicken and silky linguine tossed in a zesty, garlicky cowboy butter sauce. Infused with lemon, herbs, and smoky spices, it’s a bold and comforting weeknight dinner that’s rich yet balanced with freshness and heat.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs)
1 lb linguine pasta
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In a large pot, cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne, and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth and combined.
Add a splash of reserved pasta water and stir until the sauce emulsifies. Toss in cooked linguine and sliced chicken.
Mix in parsley, chives, and Parmesan (if using). Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve hot with extra lemon zest and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Notes
For a milder version, reduce or omit cayenne and red pepper flakes.
Add extra pasta water if the sauce thickens too much.
Substitute shrimp, tofu, or vegetables for chicken to make it vegetarian.
The dish pairs beautifully with a crisp salad or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg