Description
Butter Chicken Linguine is a flavorful fusion dish combining tender, spiced chicken with a creamy, garlicky sauce tossed with perfectly cooked linguine. This easy-to-make recipe features smoky paprika, a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, and a rich Parmesan-infused cream sauce, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that tastes indulgent but comes together quickly.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta and set both aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through. Remove from heat and slice the chicken into strips once slightly cooled.
- Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and chicken broth, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Finish the sauce: Pour in heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly. Add grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Add the sliced chicken and drained linguine back into the skillet with the sauce, tossing well to coat everything evenly. Heat through for about one minute until warmed.
- Serve: Plate the Butter Chicken Linguine immediately, garnished generously with fresh chopped parsley for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency—it helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting.
- Cook chicken just until done to keep it juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Keywords: butter chicken, linguine, creamy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, easy chicken pasta, garlic butter sauce, Parmesan pasta, smoky chicken
