Description
This Creamy Chicken Linguine recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breast with perfectly cooked linguine in a rich, flavorful sauce made from butter, garlic, cream, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan. Enhanced with a blend of spices and fresh parsley, this easy-to-make dish delivers comforting, restaurant-quality pasta at home in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 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 olive oil
- 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. Add the linguine and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking 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-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add garlic powder (from seasoning or fresh garlic if preferred), chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained linguine and toss well to coat everything in the sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by gradually adding the reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is achieved.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water as its starch helps to bind and adjust the sauce consistency.
- Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for enhanced flavor if preferred.
- Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes for spiciness level.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk but sauce will be less thick.
- Make sure not to overcook the linguine to keep the perfect al dente texture.
