If you’re searching for a dinner that straddles comfort food and knockout flavor, Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine deserves a spot at the top of your must-try list. Imagine golden-seared chicken coated in smoky, garlicky spices, tangled with perfectly cooked linguine, all wrapped in a buttery, creamy sauce with a playful kick of pepper and a zesty finish. Each forkful is a lively dance of rich, savory, and bright notes—the kind of dish that makes you want seconds, and possibly even thirds. Whether you’re entertaining, feeding hungry kids, or just treating yourself, Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is the homestyle meal you’ll crave on repeat.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine couldn’t be more straightforward! Each component is chosen with purpose, adding its own touch of taste, color, or delightful texture. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this lively dish to your dinner table:

8 ounces linguine: The foundation, lending a toothsome, silky base that grabs hold of every last drop of buttery sauce.
1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch bites): These meaty morsels soak up the bold spices and provide satisfying bites throughout.
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: Adds depth and helps the chicken sear up gorgeously golden in the pan.
½ teaspoon paprika: For a gentle earthiness and inviting color.
½ teaspoon garlic salt: Layers in that irresistible savory-salty backbone and makes seasoning a breeze.
½ teaspoon kosher salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors into focus.
¼ teaspoon pepper: A little bite to offset the richness.
¼ cup (4 tablespoons) cowboy butter, divided: The heart of this dish—a heady combination of melting butter, herbs, garlic, and zest that ties everything together.
¾ cup heavy cream: Makes the sauce thick, silky, and absolutely dreamy.
1 teaspoon garlic salt: Infuses the sauce with layers of robust flavor.
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: For just the right dash of heat—feel free to dial it up or down!
½ teaspoon lemon juice: Brings a bright, sunny lift that cuts through the richness.
Lemon slices (for garnish): Add a pop of citrusy freshness and visual appeal just before serving.
Parsley (chopped for garnish): A sprinkle of green for color and a hint of herbal brightness.

How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Step 1: Cook the Linguine

Set a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Add your linguine, giving it a couple of good stirs to prevent sticking, and cook until it’s perfectly al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta well, then set it aside while your kitchen starts filling with tantalizing aromas.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a roomy skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, spread the chicken pieces out in a single layer. Immediately shower them with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper, letting those savory spices get cozy. Let the chicken sizzle undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes—this is how you get those golden, flavor-packed edges.

Step 3: Add Cowboy Butter and Flip

With the chicken already smelling amazing, tuck in 2 tablespoons of the cowboy butter. As it melts, flip each chicken piece; the heat and that cowboy butter work magic here, infusing every bite with big, bold flavor. Continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the chicken is deeply browned and cooked through (165°F is perfection).

Step 4: Keep Chicken Warm

Once the chicken is irresistibly seared and cooked, transfer it to a plate and tent loosely with foil. This quick move keeps the meat juicy while you move on to that dreamy sauce.

Step 5: Build the Sauce

Reduce the skillet’s heat to low. Add the remaining cowboy butter, letting it melt into the pan, then pour in the heavy cream. Toss in the extra garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Take a second to scrape up all those golden-brown bits—they’re pure flavor! Stir everything together until the sauce is silky and warmed through, with rich aromas swirling in the air.

Step 6: Toss Everything Together

Now, the magic moment—add the cooked linguine and that sizzling chicken back into the skillet. Use tongs or a hearty spoon to toss everything, making sure each strand of pasta and chunk of chicken is enveloped in sauce. Finally, splash in the lemon juice and stir to blend; this last touch wakes up the whole dish.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Transfer Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine to plates or a big serving bowl. Top with lemon slices and a handful of chopped parsley for brightness and flair. Trust me, you’re going to want to dive in immediately!

How to Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Garnishes

The fun of Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is in those finishing touches. A few fresh lemon slices not only look gorgeous but let everyone add a squeeze of bright citrus to their bowl. A sprinkle of chopped parsley gives a fresh, herbal lift, balancing the richness of the sauce. If you’re feeling a little extra, try a tiny dusting of additional paprika for extra color and aroma.

Side Dishes

This dish is robust enough to stand alone, but a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette makes a breezy companion that lightens up the meal. Pillowy garlic bread or warm crusty rolls are practically required to mop up that dreamy cowboy butter sauce. For more veggies, lightly roasted broccoli or asparagus fits right in.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun, crowd-pleasing twist, twirl your Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine into nests with tongs for individual portions on a platter. You could even serve it family-style in a big rustic bowl, topped with extra cowboy butter melting over the top. For outdoor gatherings, try serving in shallow bowls with a wedge of lemon and extra parsley for an elevated but approachable touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? Scoop Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine into an airtight container and refrigerate as soon as possible. The flavors develop beautifully after a night in the fridge, and the creamy sauce helps keep the chicken and pasta tender for up to 3 days.

Freezing

If you want to freeze portions, allow the dish to cool completely, then pack into freezer-safe containers. Note that while the sauce may separate a little upon thawing, a gentle stir as you reheat should bring it almost fully back to its luscious self. Enjoy frozen portions within 2 months for best quality.

Reheating

Reheat Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine with a splash of cream or milk in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring gently until everything is warmed through and creamy again. If microwaving, cover loosely and heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between so the sauce stays smooth and the chicken doesn’t overcook.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While linguine is especially good for catching all the sauce, fettuccine, spaghetti, or even penne work beautifully. You may just need to adjust cooking times for different shapes.

What exactly is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is a savory compound butter packed with garlic, herbs, lemon, and a hint of spice. It melts into sauces and meats, delivering a bold, aromatic flavor that makes Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine so irresistible.

Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a gentle heat, but it’s easy to dial up or down. If you’re feeding spice-sensitive eaters, simply reduce the amount or leave them out entirely—Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine will still be deliciously flavorful.

Can I make the sauce lighter?

For a lighter take, you can swap some or all of the heavy cream for half-and-half or even whole milk, though the sauce will be a bit less silky. You could also try adding more lemon juice for brightness or serving with extra fresh greens on the side.

How do I make homemade cowboy butter?

Combine softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest and juice, Dijon mustard, a dash of paprika, and a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes. Mix well, then chill for later use—it’ll enhance this dish and pretty much everything else you cook!

Final Thoughts

I can’t rave enough about how much joy a bowl of Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine brings to the table. If you’re in the mood for something hearty, fun, and deliciously different, you’ll love watching this recipe disappear bite by bite. Go ahead—invite someone you love to dinner and make this your new weeknight (or anytime) favorite!

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 27 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

Creamy and flavorful Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a hearty pasta dish that combines juicy chicken bites with a rich buttery sauce, all served over perfectly cooked linguine. This recipe is a delightful twist on classic chicken pasta dishes, sure to please your taste buds.

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. Drain pasta and set aside.
Heat olive oil. Add chicken. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add oil. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Season with paprika, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, or until golden brown.
Add cowboy butter. Flip chicken. Nestle 2 tablespoons cowboy butter into the skillet. Flip pieces of chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
Remove chicken from pan. Tent to keep warm. Place chicken on a plate and tent to keep warm.
Reduce heat. Add cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low. Add remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Scrape up brown bits in the pan and stir until butter melts.
Add cooked pasta and chicken. Toss cooked linguine and chicken in the skillet to coat in the sauce.
Add lemon juice. Stir to combine.
Serve with lemon slices. Garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

For extra heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
Adjust the salt and seasonings according to your preference.
Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes for extra color and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-Frying, Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650 kcal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 39g
Cholesterol: 165mg

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, Pasta Recipe, Chicken Pasta, Creamy Linguine