If you are craving a dish that combines creamy indulgence with a bit of down-home flair, the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is an absolute must-try. This recipe is everything you want in comfort food: tender chicken seared to golden perfection, a luscious buttery sauce with a hint of spice, and perfectly cooked linguine that soaks up every bit of that savory goodness. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a meal to impress friends, this flavorful Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe has a way of making every bite feel special and satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dish shines because of its simple but thoughtfully selected ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role, from the richness of the cowboy butter and cream to the freshness of lemon and parsley adding brightness and color on the plate.
- 8 ounces linguine pasta: The perfect base to capture the creamy sauce and tender chicken without overpowering the flavors.
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces to cook quickly and evenly, serving as the hearty protein star.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: Brings a lightly fruity note and helps get that golden crisp on the chicken.
- ½ teaspoon paprika: Adds a smoky warmth and rich color to the chicken seasoning.
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt: Enhances the savory profile while keeping things simple.
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Ensures every element is perfectly seasoned without being too salty.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Offers just the right touch of heat and depth.
- ¼ cup cowboy butter, divided: The namesake of the dish, it’s a flavorful, buttery blend that gives this sauce its signature creamy and slightly spicy hit.
- ¾ cup heavy cream: Creates the silky, luscious sauce that clings to the pasta and chicken beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt: Adds an extra punch of savory garlic flavor to the sauce.
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Just enough of a kick to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming the rich sauce.
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice: A splash of acidity to brighten and balance all the richness.
- Lemon slices and fresh parsley, for garnish: These fresh garnishes boost visual appeal while adding hints of citrus and herb freshness.
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Linguine to Perfection
Start by bringing salted water to a boil and cooking your linguine according to package directions until it’s al dente, meaning tender but still firm to the bite. This texture ensures the pasta holds up perfectly when tossed with the creamy sauce later on. Once cooked, drain the linguine and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken with Seasoned Love
Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, toss your bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper to infuse them with warmth and savory depth. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on the outside and fully cooked through. Toward the end of cooking, add 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter to the skillet to melt into the chicken, creating that signature richness. Remove the chicken and set aside, reserving the skillet for the sauce.
Step 3: Build the Creamy, Flavor-Packed Sauce
Lower the heat to low and add the remaining cowboy butter to the skillet, letting it melt slowly. Pour in the heavy cream, sprinkle in garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes, and gently scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate all those delicious browned bits left from the chicken. Stir the mixture carefully until the butter is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and decadent.
Step 4: Toss It All Together
Return the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet, tossing everything gently but thoroughly so each strand of linguine gets coated in that glorious sauce. Finish by stirring in a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the rich flavors, giving the dish a perfect balance of creamy, savory, and tangy notes.
How to Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes elevate this dish from great to unforgettable. Adding lemon slices along with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley offers not just vibrant color but also a refreshing herbaceous and citrus note that balances the richness of the sauce beautifully. These simple touches make each plate feel like a restaurant-quality experience.
Side Dishes
To round out your meal, serve this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe with a crisp green side salad dressed lightly with balsamic vinaigrette or a medley of roasted seasonal vegetables. These sides add a fresh, crunchy contrast that complements the creamy pasta and tender chicken perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the linguine in cozy pasta bowls topped with a lemon wedge visitors can squeeze themselves. You can also sprinkle a bit of freshly grated Parmesan or even a dusting of smoked paprika on top for an extra burst of flavor and color contrast. Presentation doesn’t have to be fancy to impress when the flavors shine this brightly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers of the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours after cooking. The pasta and chicken will stay good for up to 3 days, allowing you to enjoy this rich dish again without losing much flavor or texture.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, keep in mind the heavy cream-based sauce may change texture slightly after thawing. If you want to freeze, cool the dish completely and transfer to a freezer-safe container, using it within 1 month for best quality. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently to preserve the creaminess.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often and adding a splash of milk or cream if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving at high power to keep the sauce from splitting. Gently warming this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe ensures you retain that perfect balance of creamy coating and tender chicken.
FAQs
Can I use a different pasta instead of linguine?
Absolutely! While linguine is ideal because its flat shape holds the sauce well, you can swap in fettuccine, spaghetti, or even penne. Just be sure to cook it al dente to maintain texture.
What exactly is cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is a flavorful compound butter typically made with garlic, spices, herbs, and a touch of heat. It adds rich depth and a slightly spicy kick to dishes, making it the star component of this recipe’s sauce.
Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream or use a lighter butter option, but note that the sauce might be less rich and creamy. Lightening up also means adjusting seasoning to maintain flavor balance.
Can I prepare this recipe for a family dinner party?
Yes! The Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is perfect for family gatherings because it comes together quickly and delivers big on flavor. Just double the ingredients to serve a larger group.
What wine pairs well with Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe?
A crisp Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir complements the buttery, creamy sauce and lightly spiced chicken beautifully. These wines balance richness without overpowering the flavors.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly satisfying about the creamy, buttery goodness of the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe, and sharing it with loved ones only makes it better. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to make any dinner feel like an occasion. I can’t recommend giving this dish a try enough—once you do, it will easily become one of your go-to recipes that everyone asks for again and again.
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 delicious and hearty pasta dish featuring tender pieces of seasoned chicken cooked in a rich cowboy butter sauce, combined with creamy heavy cream, a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, and brightened with fresh lemon juice and parsley. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with a flavorful twist.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
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 (for cooking chicken)
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
Garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook linguine according to package directions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter during the last few minutes of cooking to melt into the chicken. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining cowboy butter and heavy cream to the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken for extra flavor. Stir in garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking gently until the butter is melted and the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the sauce. Stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley for freshness and color.
Notes
- Use fresh cowboy butter for best flavor, or substitute with compound butter made with garlic, herbs, and spices.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Add extra crushed red pepper flakes for more heat if desired.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad and crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stove.
