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Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Recipe

Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Recipe
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5 from 28 reviews

This Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe combines juicy chicken breasts with rich, flavorful cowboy butter sauce served over tender linguine pasta. It features a perfect balance of garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and Parmesan for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s simple enough for weeknights.

Ingredients

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Chicken and Sauce

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 12 ounces linguine pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 ounces of linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken breasts with salt and paprika. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 3 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using), lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix well to combine.
  4. Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water and 1 cup heavy cream to the skillet. Stir and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Combine with Cheese and Herbs: Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Toss Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked linguine pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
  7. Serve: Plate the pasta topped with chicken and garnish with additional parsley or Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it won’t be as rich.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed—add gradually to avoid thinning the sauce too much.
  • Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting quality.
  • This dish can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free linguine pasta.
  • Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, garlic butter chicken, linguine with chicken, one skillet chicken pasta

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/irresistibly-easy-cowboy-butter-chicken-recipe/