Description
This Creamy Chicken Linguine is a delightful pasta dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breast simmered in a rich and flavorful creamy sauce made with butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese. Tossed together with perfectly cooked linguine and finished with fresh parsley and a hint of lemon juice, this recipe offers a comforting yet sophisticated meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 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)
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season and cook chicken: In a bowl, season the cubed chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Prepare the creamy sauce: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, around 3-5 minutes.
- Combine pasta and chicken with sauce: Add the cooked chicken and linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it by adding a bit of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the linguine with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter sauce.
- Reserve pasta water helps in adjusting the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- For a lighter version, reduce butter and cream quantities or substitute with half-and-half.
- Freshly grated Parmesan enhances flavor more than pre-grated.
