Get ready to fall head-over-boots for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine—a dish that delivers all the creamy, zesty, and downright addictive flavors of cowboy butter sauce, wrapped around tender bites of chicken and perfectly cooked linguine. It’s like a big, comforting hug from your favorite steakhouse, but with a wildly delicious pasta twist!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big, Bold Flavors: The classic cowboy butter sauce transforms humble chicken and pasta into something wildly craveable, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy.
- Weeknight Magic: You get restaurant-quality comfort food on your table in under 30 minutes, with almost zero fuss or fancy techniques required.
- Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Even picky eaters (and self-declared pasta snobs) go for second helpings—it’s creamy, zesty, and loaded with flavor in every twirl.
- Totally Adaptable: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is easily customized for spice lovers, veggie enthusiasts, or anyone avoiding gluten—no boring leftovers, ever!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed how a handful of well-chosen ingredients work together for maximum flavor in this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. Every single component brings something essential—whether it’s a pop of color, a rich creamy sauce, or irresistible layers of spice and zing.
- Linguine: This long, flat pasta is perfect for capturing silky cowboy butter sauce in every forkful (but you can swap in your favorite noodle if needed!).
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless pieces quickly soak up the bold flavors while staying perfectly juicy and tender.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps create a golden sear on the chicken and gives depth to the entire dish.
- Paprika, Garlic Salt, Kosher Salt, and Pepper: This combo makes the chicken savory, aromatic, and deeply seasoned—like a flavor fiesta for your taste buds.
- Cowboy Butter: The secret star—this seasoned butter is the backbone of the sauce, bringing in herbs, garlic, heat, and citrus all in one luxurious swirl.
- Heavy Cream: Ensures the sauce is exceptionally rich and coats the linguine beautifully.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Just a sprinkle brings gentle warmth—customize to your heat preference!
- Lemon Juice & Lemon Slices: Fresh citrus balances the richness and makes the entire dish pop with brightness.
- Chopped Parsley: Adds a burst of color and a hint of herby freshness to the final dish.
Variations
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is endlessly versatile, so don’t be shy about making it your own. Swap proteins, adjust the spice, or sneak in extra veggies—the sauce works its magic on just about everything!
- Shrimp Swap: Use peeled shrimp instead of chicken for a surf-and-turf twist that’s outrageously tasty (just reduce the cook time for seafood!).
- Veggie-Boosted: Toss in spinach, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes in the final minutes—you’ll add color, flavor, and even more heartiness.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Choose your favorite gluten-free linguine or fettuccine; the cowboy butter sauce pairs perfectly.
- Extra Heat: Love spice? Amp up the crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne to make your tastebuds two-step!
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Step 1: Cook the Linguine
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and drop in your linguine. Cook it just until al dente (check your pasta package for the perfect timing), then drain and set aside. Trust me, perfectly cooked pasta is the foundation of truly great Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine!
Step 2: Sear and Season the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add your chicken pieces in a single layer and instantly season with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper. Give the chicken 3–4 minutes undisturbed so it develops a golden, flavorful crust—you want those delicious browned bits!
Step 3: Cowboy Butter Time!
Drop in half your cowboy butter (about 2 tablespoons) and flip the chicken. Allow it to finish cooking for another 3–4 minutes until every piece is juicy and fully cooked. The cowboy butter will melt into the pan, infusing everything with its herby, garlicky goodness.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Remove the chicken temporarily, tenting with foil to keep warm. Lower the heat, then add the remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and crushed red pepper flakes directly to the skillet. Scrape up all those browned bits—this is where magic happens! Stir until the butter is dreamy and melted into the sauce.
Step 5: Toss, Garnish, and Serve
Return the cooked linguine and golden chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together so every noodle glistens with cowboy butter sauce. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness, then garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. This is Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine at its showstopping best!
Pro Tips for Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Sear for Flavor Gold: Don’t rush the initial sear on your chicken—the deeply browned bits in the skillet are what turn the sauce into pure cowboy gold!
- Save Your Pasta Water: If you want a silkier sauce, reserve a splash of pasta water to help the linguine and sauce cling together epically well.
- Toss to Coat Every Noodle: Use tongs to really toss the chicken, linguine, and sauce together so every single bite gets that cowboy butter magic.
- Finish With Lemon: Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice at the end—it cuts through the richness and gives Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine its signature lift.
How to Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Garnishes
Nothing completes this dish like a generous sprinkle of fresh, chopped parsley and bright, sunny lemon slices. The green and yellow look gorgeous against the creamy pasta, plus they add zing and freshness that make each bite feel lighter and truly special.
Side Dishes
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine practically begs to be paired with a crisp green salad—think arugula and radicchio—or some warm, crusty bread that’s perfect for mopping up leftover sauce. For heartier appetites, serve with roasted broccoli or simple grilled asparagus.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in big, family-style bowls for a rustic, communal feel, or pile the linguine high and twirl into individual nests for a dinner party presentation. For a little Texas flair, offer extra cowboy butter on the side—let everyone customize their heat and richness!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it cool completely before packaging—this helps preserve the texture and keeps the sauce rich and luscious.
Freezing
While you can freeze this dish, creamy sauces can sometimes separate after thawing. If you do freeze, portion it out and wrap it tightly; reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk to bring it back to life.
Reheating
To reheat Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, simply warm on the stovetop over low heat or microwave gently, stirring occasionally. Add a touch of water or cream if needed to loosen the sauce and restore its luscious, silky finish.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought cowboy butter for this recipe?
Absolutely! If you find prepared cowboy butter in your supermarket, it works great and saves you a step. If not, you can easily make your own by mixing softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, chives, a pinch of cayenne, and lemon zest—homemade or store-bought, either is delicious in this dish.
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Can I make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine dairy-free?
Definitely! Swap in plant-based butter and your favorite unflavored, unsweetened non-dairy cream (like cashew or oat cream). You’ll still get a rich, flavorful sauce with plenty of character—just double-check for subtle flavor differences and adjust seasoning as needed.
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What protein can I substitute for chicken?
Try shrimp, sliced steak, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Adjust your cook time so the protein is perfectly done—shrimp require just a few minutes, while tofu benefits from extra browning for flavor.
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Is Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine spicy?
It has a gentle warmth thanks to the crushed red pepper and seasoned cowboy butter, but it’s easy to tame (or amp up!). If you prefer less heat, simply reduce or skip the pepper flakes—add more for spice-lovers!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a plate of serious comfort laced with big, bold cowboy flavor, Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is your new weeknight winner. Give it a try—you’ll be fielding requests for this creamy, garlicky pasta on repeat, and sharing it just might make you the legend of your own kitchen saloon!
Print
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe is a delightful twist on a classic pasta dish, featuring tender chicken bites in a creamy, flavorful sauce infused with the rich flavors of cowboy butter. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
Ingredients
Linguine:
- 8 ounces linguine
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Sauce:
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons / 57 g) cowboy butter, divided
- 3/4 cup (178.5 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- lemon slices, for garnish
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken with paprika, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Cook in a skillet until golden brown. Add cowboy butter and cook until chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, combine remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir until butter melts.
- Combine and Serve: Add cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce. Add lemon juice and stir to combine. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
