The Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine dances with bold flavors that surprise and delight your taste buds.

Midwest ranch culture meets Italian pasta in a surprising culinary fusion.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among silky linguine strands, coated in a rich, zesty sauce.

Garlic and herbs create an aromatic backdrop that whispers comfort and excitement.

Weeknight dinners gain a playful twist with this unexpected combination of ingredients.

Hearty and satisfying, each forkful promises a journey through rustic ranch and Mediterranean influences.

Dive into this recipe and let your kitchen become a playground of delicious creativity.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Overview

• Savor Quick Comfort
• Master Flavor Fusion: Combine zesty cowboy butter with creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken for a restaurant-quality dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Performance: This versatile recipe works brilliantly for busy weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or when you want to impress dinner guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables to make it your own personal signature dish that suits your taste preferences.

Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

• Chicken: A lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish and absorbs the rich, flavorful cowboy butter sauce.

• Linguine: A long, flat pasta that perfectly catches and holds the creamy sauce, creating a delicious coating for each bite.

• Cowboy Butter, Heavy Cream: A rich and indulgent base that creates a luxurious, creamy texture for the pasta dish.

• Paprika, Garlic Salt, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: A classic seasoning mix that enhances the chicken's flavor and adds depth to the overall dish.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Slices: Bright, citrusy elements that cut through the richness of the sauce and add a fresh, zesty note.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that provides a pop of color and a light, herbal garnish to complete the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used to create a non-stick surface and add a subtle flavor when cooking the chicken.

How to Cook Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil.

Slide the linguine into the bubbling water and cook until it reaches the perfect al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for its flavor adventure.

Step 2: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken pieces in a single layer, creating a golden canvas.

• Paprika
• Garlic salt
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Step 3: Introduce Cowboy Butter

Tuck two tablespoons of cowboy butter into the sizzling skillet.

Gently flip the chicken pieces and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a plate and loosely cover with foil to keep it warm.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

• Heavy cream
• Garlic salt
• Red pepper flakes

Stir the mixture, scraping up the delicious browned bits from the pan. Watch as the sauce transforms into a smooth, creamy delight.

Step 5: Combine Flavors

Reunite the cooked linguine and chicken in the skillet. Toss everything together, ensuring each strand of pasta and piece of chicken is lovingly coated in the luxurious sauce.

Step 6: Final Flourish

• Fresh lemon slices
• Chopped parsley

Serve immediately while the dish is warm and inviting.

Tips for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Success

• Cook linguine just until al dente to maintain a perfect chewy bite, preventing mushy or overly soft noodles.
• Use a hot skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve golden-brown chicken with a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
• Stir cowboy butter and cream slowly over low heat to create a smooth, velvety sauce without separation or graininess.
• Add fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten the rich, creamy sauce and cut through the butter's richness.
• Sprinkle chopped parsley just before serving to add a vibrant color and fresh, aromatic touch to the dish.

Flavor Variations on Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

• Gluten-Free Cowboy Butter Chicken Zoodles: Replace linguine with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb, gluten-free alternative that maintains the rich, creamy sauce's flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Chicken Pasta: Swap paprika with chipotle powder and add diced green chiles to enhance the cowboy butter's heat, creating a southwestern-inspired version of the dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Linguine: Substitute cowboy butter with herbed butter containing oregano, thyme, and basil, and add crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-style transformation.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Version: Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use dairy-free butter alternative to accommodate lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs while preserving the recipe's core flavors.

Pairings to Enjoy with Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

• Crisp, buttery Chardonnay with moderate oak balances the rich cowboy butter sauce, complementing the creamy texture while cutting through the dish's spiciness.
• Create a tangy arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to brighten the plate, offering a fresh contrast to the heavy linguine and providing palate-cleansing acidity.
• Prepare crusty sourdough garlic bread to soak up the delicious cowboy butter sauce, adding another layer of flavor and providing a crunchy textural element to the meal.

Storage Tips for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces, as they may separate when thawed.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a bit of cream or broth to prevent drying. Stir gently and frequently until the dish is evenly heated and sauce is smooth.

FAQs

• What is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is a zesty, herb-infused compound butter typically made with butter, garlic, herbs like parsley, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice, adding rich flavor to various dishes.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute linguine with other long pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti. Just ensure you cook the pasta al dente for the best texture.

• How can I tell if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which ensures it’s safe to eat and prevents overcooking.

• Is this dish spicy?

The dish has a mild heat from red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount to suit your spice preference.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cowboy butter chicken linguine brings rustic ranch-style comfort to your dinner table with bold, zesty flavors. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly seasoned pasta invite you to savor a hearty meal that celebrates western-inspired culinary creativity.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites

Pasta and Liquid:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine
• Water for boiling
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasonings and Flavoring:

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) cowboy butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt for pasta water

Garnish:

• Lemon slices
• Parsley, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge linguine and cook until perfectly tender, following package timing. Drain pasta and reserve.
2. Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high temperature. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, distributing paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper evenly across surface. Sear for 3-4 minutes until achieving golden caramelization.
3. Introduce cowboy butter into the skillet, allowing it to melt around chicken pieces. Flip proteins and continue cooking an additional 3-4 minutes until reaching 165°F internal temperature. Transfer chicken to a foil-covered plate to maintain warmth.
4. Reduce skillet heat to low. Incorporate remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Gently stir, extracting savory browned remnants from pan bottom, creating a silky, uniform sauce.
5. Reintroduce cooked linguine and seared chicken into the skillet. Thoroughly toss ingredients, ensuring complete sauce coverage across pasta and protein.
6. Brighten the dish with fresh lemon juice. Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with delicate lemon slices and verdant parsley sprigs. Serve immediately while temperature remains optimal.

Notes

• Swap proteins effortlessly by using shrimp, tofu, or turkey instead of chicken for varied dietary preferences.
• Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or using mild paprika for sensitive palates.
• Create dairy-free version by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Enhance meal prep by pre-cooking chicken and storing separately, allowing quick assembly during busy weeknights.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 470 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg