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Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in Just 30 Minutes

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This Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a bold, buttery pasta dish packed with garlic, herbs, lemon, and spice. Tender chicken and linguine are tossed in a zesty cowboy butter sauce for a weeknight-friendly meal ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz linguine pasta
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (for searing)
  • For the cowboy butter sauce:
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp zest
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp thyme or Italian seasoning
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra heat

Instructions

  1. Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear in a large skillet with oil or butter until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Whisk in Dijon mustard, lemon juice and zest, red pepper flakes, paprika, parsley, and herbs to make cowboy butter sauce.
  5. Add chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat.
  6. Stir in cooked linguine and reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  7. Cook for 1–2 more minutes, garnish with extra parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

  • Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veggies.
  • Swap chicken for shrimp or spicy sausage for variation.
  • Use heavy cream or grated parmesan for a richer sauce.
  • Try with fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne if linguine isn’t available.
  • For low-carb, use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/easy-cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine-in-just-30-minutes/