Creamy Chicken Linguine is your new weeknight hero—fast, flavorful, and ultra-comforting. This rich pasta dish features tender chicken tossed with silky linguine in a cowboy butter sauce bursting with garlic, lemon, Dijon, and a touch of heat. It’s cheesy, zesty, and ready in just 30 minutes.
Perfect for cozy dinners, casual entertaining, or a no-fuss date night at home, this recipe delivers restaurant-worthy flavor with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.
Why You’ll Love Creamy Chicken Linguine
Quick & Easy: Ready in 30 minutes with minimal prep.
Bold & Buttery: Cowboy butter sauce is loaded with garlic, lemon, and spice.
Rich & Creamy: Heavy cream and Parmesan add velvety goodness.
Customizable: Swap in shrimp, tofu, or your favorite veggies.
One-Skillet Wonder: Fewer dishes, more flavor.
Time Needed
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
🍝 Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
🌶 Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
🧄 Cowboy Butter Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make Creamy Chicken Linguine
1️⃣ Boil the Pasta
Cook linguine in salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté the Chicken
Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Add chicken and cook until golden and fully done. Remove from pan and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
4️⃣ Combine and Toss
Add the chicken back to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss well to coat everything in the sauce. Stir in Parmesan, parsley, and lemon juice. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
5️⃣ Serve It Up
Top with extra Parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy every creamy, flavorful bite.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.
- Freeze: Not recommended—cream sauces can separate when thawed.
Nutrition Info (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~540
- Fat: ~35g
- Carbohydrates: ~32g
- Protein: ~30g
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a different pasta?
Yes! Fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne all work great.
2. What is cowboy butter?
It’s a compound butter made with garlic, herbs, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and spices—full of bold flavor.
3. How spicy is this dish?
It has a mild kick. Leave out the cayenne and red pepper flakes for a kid-friendly version.
4. Can I add veggies?
Absolutely! Try spinach, cherry tomatoes, or broccoli.
5. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter, cream, and cheese substitutes—just note the flavor will be slightly different.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce is the kind of meal that tastes like a hug in a bowl. Creamy, zesty, and deeply satisfying, it’s everything you want in a comfort food classic—with a gourmet twist. Whether you’re cooking for the family or treating yourself, this dish hits the spot every single time. 🍋🧄🍝
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Creamy Chicken Linguine with Cowboy Butter Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy Chicken Linguine is your new weeknight hero—fast, flavorful, and ultra-comforting. This rich pasta dish features tender chicken tossed with silky linguine in a cowboy butter sauce bursting with garlic, lemon, Dijon, and a touch of heat. It’s cheesy, zesty, and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook linguine in salted water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Add chicken and cook until golden and fully done. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss well to coat everything in the sauce. Stir in Parmesan, parsley, and lemon juice. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Top with extra Parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy every creamy, flavorful bite.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream.
- Not recommended for freezing as the sauce may separate.
- Use shrimp, tofu, or veggies like spinach or cherry tomatoes for variation.
- Leave out the cayenne and red pepper flakes for a kid-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy chicken linguine, cowboy butter pasta, chicken pasta dinner