Description

This Creamy Chicken Linguine recipe features tender, seasoned chicken breast cooked to golden perfection and tossed with linguine pasta in a luscious sauce made from butter, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan cheese. Enhanced with fresh parsley and a touch of lemon juice, it’s a comforting yet elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

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
1 tbsp olive oil

Pasta

8 oz linguine pasta

Sauce

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp butter
¼ cup chicken broth
¼ cup heavy cream
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare chicken: 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 and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and a bit of garlic powder to layer flavor. Stir and let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
Combine: Add the cooked chicken and linguine to the sauce in the skillet. Toss well to coat everything evenly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and lemon juice for brightness. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
Serve: Garnish with additional fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Serve warm as a satisfying main course.

Notes

Adjust cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
Reserve pasta water is essential for loosening the sauce and achieving a silky texture.
Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and melting quality.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but sauce will be less rich.
Can be garnished with extra lemon zest for additional brightness if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Creamy Chicken Linguine, chicken pasta, creamy pasta, stovetop chicken recipe, quick dinner, easy pasta dish