If you’re searching for a dish that bursts with rich, buttery flavor, zesty hints, and a comforting pasta base, look no further than this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe. It’s a perfect marriage of tender, seasoned chicken tossed in a luscious cowboy butter cream sauce, all wrapped lovingly around perfectly cooked linguine. This recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate, making it an instant favorite for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress without stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The great thing about this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is how straightforward yet thoughtfully chosen the ingredients are. Each one plays a vital role—adding layers of flavor, providing the perfect texture, and painting the dish with vibrant colors that make it all the more inviting.
- 8 ounces linguine pasta: The ideal pasta shape to hold onto the creamy sauce and carry the flavors to your palate.
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into 1-inch pieces to ensure tender bites and quick cooking.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: Helps sear the chicken beautifully, adding depth to the flavor.
- ½ teaspoon paprika: Infuses a mild smoky warmth to the chicken seasoning.
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt: Boosts the savory character with just the right touch of garlic and saltiness.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances flavors while enhancing the dish’s overall taste.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Brings a subtle kick and depth without overpowering the sauce.
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) cowboy butter, divided: The star of the show, lending rich, nutty, and garlicky goodness in every bite.
- ¾ cup heavy cream: Creates the luxuriously creamy base of the sauce that perfectly coats the pasta and chicken.
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Adds just the right amount of heat to keep things lively and exciting.
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice: Brightens the dish with a fresh, zesty contrast.
- Lemon slices, for garnish: Adds a pop of color and an extra hint of citrus aroma when served.
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish: Brings vibrant green freshness to finish the plate beautifully.
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Step 1: Cook Pasta
Begin by cooking the linguine in salted boiling water following the package instructions until it reaches al dente—the perfect firmness to soak up all that incredible sauce without getting mushy. Drain and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the magic.
Step 2: Cook Chicken
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season your chicken pieces with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper to make sure every bite bursts with flavor. Cook the chicken in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, letting it develop a golden brown crust. Toward the end of cooking, add 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter to the skillet so the chicken becomes perfectly buttery and irresistible. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside for the sauce.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Turn the heat down to low and add the remaining cowboy butter to the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream, then sprinkle in garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes. As the butter melts, use your spatula to scrape up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan—this will deepen the sauce’s taste beautifully. Stir everything together until smooth and slightly thickened, creating a rich and velvety sauce that’s just waiting to meet the pasta and chicken.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Return the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet with your luscious sauce. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure every strand of pasta and piece of chicken is coated in that dreamy cowboy butter sauce. Finish by stirring in the fresh lemon juice to elevate the flavors with a hint of brightness. Serve this dish garnished with lemon slices and chopped parsley for a fresh, inviting final touch.
How to Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Garnishes
Adding those simple garnishes like lemon slices and freshly chopped parsley not only makes the dish visually stunning but also complements the creamy richness perfectly. The lemon adds a bright zing and the parsley a fresh herbaceous note, balancing the bold flavors with elegance.
Side Dishes
Because this dish is rich and filling, pairing it with crisp, fresh sides works wonders. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli offer a lovely contrast in both texture and flavor, rounding out the meal beautifully without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch, consider serving Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe in rustic pasta bowls or cast-iron skillets. You could even sprinkle extra crushed red pepper flakes or a light dusting of Parmesan just before serving, giving it a little extra flair and an irresistible invitation to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, but be sure to keep the sauce creamy by reheating gently.
Freezing
Because of the cream sauce, freezing this dish is best avoided to preserve its luscious texture. However, if you must, freeze the chicken and pasta separately without the sauce, then prepare the sauce fresh when you’re ready to enjoy it again. This way, you keep all the elements tasting fresh and delicious.
Reheating
When it’s time to enjoy leftovers, warm up Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce and stir constantly to keep that silky texture. Microwaving is quick but can sometimes cause the sauce to separate, so stovetop reheating is your best bet.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While linguine is perfect for this recipe, you can substitute fettuccine, spaghetti, or even tagliatelle depending on what you have on hand. Just aim for pasta that holds sauce well to keep every bite flavorful.
What exactly is cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is a flavorful compound butter, usually made with a mixture of butter, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and spices. It adds rich, savory depth and a subtle kick that makes this dish truly stand out.
Is this recipe spicy?
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe carries a gentle heat from the crushed red pepper flakes and paprika but is balanced with creamy, buttery elements. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes according to your taste.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, try using a plant-based butter and substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a cashew cream. Keep in mind the flavor will shift slightly but it will still be rich and satisfying.
How long does it take to prepare this dish?
This dish comes together in about 25 minutes, making it an excellent option for busy weeknights when you crave something hearty and homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.
Final Thoughts
If you love the idea of a creamy, flavorful dinner that feels both comforting and a bit adventurous, the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is a winner you’ll want to add to your go-to list. It’s satisfying, easy to make, and packed with layered flavors that invite second helpings. Give it a try and watch it become a dinner favorite in your home, guaranteed to impress family and friends alike.
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
Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed with smoky spices and cowboy butter, tossed in a creamy, slightly spicy sauce with heavy cream and lemon juice. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, it combines the heartiness of chicken with the indulgence of a buttery, garlicky cream sauce and bright lemony accents.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
For the Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cowboy butter, divided
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) cowboy butter, divided
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
For Garnish
- Lemon slices
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces evenly with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. In the last few minutes of cooking, stir in 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter to infuse the chicken with rich flavor. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to the same skillet. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, stirring until the butter has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce. Stir in the lemon juice for a bright finish. Plate the pasta and chicken mixture, then garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon slices and parsley to add a fresh and vibrant touch to balance the rich sauce.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter dish, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Ensure the chicken is cut into uniform pieces to cook evenly.
- Reserve some pasta water if the sauce needs thinning when tossing the pasta.
