Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces linguine pasta
- 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
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the linguine according to package directions in salted water. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Prepare Cowboy Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add minced garlic, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Flavor Components: Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Scrape browned bits from the pan while simmering.
- Creamy Sauce Formation: Pour in heavy cream and half of the chopped parsley. Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Combine All: Return chicken to the pan and add linguine and parmesan cheese. Toss to coat evenly, adjusting sauce’s consistency with reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining parsley and extra parmesan before serving.
Notes
Use high-quality ingredients for optimal flavor and consider fresh herbs for an aromatic finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg