Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta is a delightful and quick dish that brings together tender chicken and a creamy garlic butter sauce, perfectly coating each strand of linguine. This recipe is packed with bold flavors thanks to a blend of spices and fresh ingredients, making it a fantastic option for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. The simplicity of preparation ensures you can whip up this hearty meal in just about 30 minutes, leaving you time to enjoy with family and friends. Feel free to customize the dish by adding your favorite vegetables for an extra nutritional boost!
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
Instructions
- Season thinly sliced chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and parsley; let simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce to coat well. If too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Return sliced chicken to the skillet and mix everything gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Searing, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 400g)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider adding spinach or bell peppers right before tossing in the sauce. Adjust spice levels by adding more or less cayenne pepper according to your preference.