Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – a 30-minute creamy and comforting skillet pasta that pairs tender chicken and linguine with a bold cowboy butter sauce, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz linguine (or any pasta)
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced into strips
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh chives, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the melted butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, chives, chili flakes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir until fragrant.
- Add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and Parmesan. Toss until creamy.
- Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce.
- Garnish with extra parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Tip: Reserve extra pasta water if you desire a saucier sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute half of the butter with olive oil.
- Gluten-free option: use gluten-free pasta (cooking times may vary).
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat.
- Fresh parsley and chives add brightness; substitute with basil or dill if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta/Main Dish
- Method: Skillet, Sauté
- Cuisine: American with Italian influence
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 620 kcal
- Sugar: About 2 g
- Sodium: Approximately 600 mg
- Fat: Approximately 40 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 90 g
- Fiber: Approximately 3 g
- Protein: Approximately 35 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 160 mg
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta, 30-minute pasta, creamy chicken pasta, skillet pasta, easy weeknight dinner, American-Italian fusion, linguine with chicken, butter sauce, parmesan pasta, garlic lemon pasta