Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine for Busy Evenings
A bold, buttery pasta dish featuring garlic-seared chicken and zesty cowboy butter sauce tossed with silky linguine. Perfect for fast weeknight dinners or flavorful leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Ingredients
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1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, sliced
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8 oz linguine
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1 tbsp olive oil
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6 tbsp unsalted butter
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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Zest and juice of 1 lemon
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½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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1 tbsp chopped chives (optional)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Optional: grated Parmesan for topping
Instructions
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Cook linguine in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water. Drain.
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Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp paprika.
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Heat olive oil in skillet. Sear chicken 4–5 min per side. Remove and set aside.
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In same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, mustard, lemon zest + juice, chili flakes, and herbs. Sauté 2–3 min.
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Return chicken to skillet. Add cooked linguine and toss with sauce.
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Stir in a splash of pasta water until sauce is glossy.
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Garnish with more herbs and Parmesan. Serve hot
Notes
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Use shrimp, steak, or tofu for variations.
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Add spinach or arugula for more greens.
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Store leftovers in fridge for up to 3 days.