Butter Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)
# What You’ll Need:
→ Key components
01 -
1 tablespoon butter
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
03 -
8 oz of linguine noodles
04 -
2 boneless, skin-free chicken breasts, chopped into small chunks
→ Chicken seasonings
05 -
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
06 -
Salt and black pepper as needed
07 -
¼ teaspoon cayenne powder (optional)
08 -
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
10 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Buttery cowboy sauce
11 -
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
12 -
¼ cup heavy cream
13 -
¼ cup chicken stock
14 -
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
15 -
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
16 -
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
17 -
½ cup of softened unsalted butter
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Add plenty of salt to a big pot of boiling water and cook your linguine until barely tender following the package timing. Before draining, save ¼ cup of the water.
02 -
Rub the chicken with onion powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, optional cayenne, and some salt with pepper. Sear in warmed olive oil over medium-high in a large pan. Cook through and get it browned before setting it aside to stay warm.
03 -
In the skillet you used for chicken, melt a pat of butter and stir in broth, cream, Dijon mustard, and some red chili flakes if you like. Let it bubble and thicken for 2-3 minutes, stirring all the time.
04 -
Toss the cooked linguine and chicken back into the pan with the sauce. Mix in Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and a splash of lemon juice. Use the saved pasta water if it looks too thick.
05 -
Divide onto plates, sprinkle with extra Parmesan and parsley on top, and bring it right to the table for serving.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Cowboy butter typically combines herbs and spices with butter. Here, it's made into a rich sauce for bold flavor.
02 -
Switch things up by using tofu or shrimp instead of chicken. Adding spinach or cherry tomatoes at the end gives it more color and texture.
03 -
Leave out cayenne and red pepper if you prefer a gentler heat but still want all the flavor.
04 -
Pasta water is key for making the sauce nice and creamy—don't skip it.