Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe – A Family Favorite

Creamy and bold, this cowboy butter chicken linguine bursts with unexpected flavor combinations that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Rich, golden butter melts into a luxurious sauce coating tender chicken and perfectly al dente pasta.

Southwestern spices add a delightful kick to every single bite.

Ranch seasoning blends seamlessly with classic Italian ingredients, creating a mouthwatering fusion dish.

Fresh herbs scattered across the top add brightness and depth to the meal.

You’ll love how quickly this recipe comes together for a satisfying dinner that impresses without complicated techniques.

Grab a fork and get ready to savor every delicious forkful of this crowd-pleasing pasta.

Why Cowboy Butter Linguine Is Rich and Bold

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up this mouthwatering cowboy butter chicken linguine in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy home cooks looking for a delicious dinner solution.
• Flavor-Packed One-Skillet Dish: Enjoy a complete meal prepared in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing taste with bold cowboy butter and perfectly seasoned chicken.
• Restaurant-Quality Comfort at Home: Elevate your home cooking with a creamy, zesty pasta dish that delivers gourmet flavors without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Impress family and friends with a recipe that combines classic comfort food elements with a touch of culinary excitement, suitable for casual dinners or small gatherings.

Ingredients for Butter Chicken Pasta with a Kick

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Tender and juicy protein base for the dish.

• Linguine: Classic Italian long pasta with smooth texture.

• Cowboy Butter: Zesty and rich butter blend with bold flavors.
• Heavy Cream: Creamy and luxurious sauce enhancer.

• Paprika: Warm and slightly sweet red pepper powder.
• Garlic Salt: Savory seasoning with concentrated garlic flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Pure and clean salt for enhancing flavors.
• Black Pepper: Sharp and aromatic ground spice.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy and bold pepper sprinkles.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Slices: Bright and tangy citrus accent.
• Fresh Parsley: Vibrant and herbaceous green garnish.

• Olive Oil: Smooth and versatile cooking oil.
• Water: Basic liquid for pasta cooking.

How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt.

Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Carefully drop the linguine into the bubbling water and cook according to the package instructions until the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture.

Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Warm a spacious skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in olive oil.

When the oil shimmers and looks hot, arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding.

• Paprika
• Garlic salt
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

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

Add a dollop of cowboy butter to the skillet, then flip the chicken pieces.

Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Transfer the chicken to a plate and loosely cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

Lower the skillet heat to low.

Add the remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, a dash of garlic salt, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.

Use a spatula to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Stir continuously until the butter melts completely and the sauce becomes silky smooth.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Return the cooked linguine and seared chicken to the skillet.

Gently toss everything together, ensuring each strand of pasta and piece of chicken gets beautifully coated in the creamy sauce.

Squeeze in fresh lemon juice to add a bright, zesty kick.

Plate the dish and garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley.

Serve immediately while piping hot.

Tips for Perfect Butter Sauce and Tender Noodles

• Ensure an even golden-brown color by not overcrowding the skillet and cooking chicken in a single layer, which helps achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
• Scrape up the browned bits from the skillet bottom when making the sauce, as these caramelized pieces add deep, rich flavor to the cowboy butter sauce.
• Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat – add more for a spicier kick or reduce for a milder version that suits different taste preferences.
• Chop parsley just before serving to release its vibrant aroma and add a burst of fresh color that elevates the overall presentation of the dish.
• Cook linguine exactly to al dente to prevent mushy texture, ensuring the pasta maintains a slight firmness when mixed with the creamy cowboy butter sauce.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat This Pasta Dish

• Store leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Cover the pasta with plastic wrap or a lid to maintain moisture and prevent it from absorbing excess refrigerator odors.
• Warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore the sauce's creamy texture and prevent sticking.
• Microwave single portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating and maintain the pasta's tender consistency.

What to Pair With Cowboy Chicken Linguine

• Elevate Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Pairings
• Complement Bold Flavors: Crisp sauvignon blanc cuts through the creamy sauce with its bright, zesty profile and refreshing acidity.
• Enhance Spicy Notes: Amber ale or wheat beer balances the dish's rich butter and red pepper flakes with malty undertones and smooth carbonation.
• Match Rustic Protein: Serve with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to provide a peppery, light counterpoint to the hearty chicken and creamy pasta.
• Create Texture Contrast: Crusty sourdough bread allows diners to soak up the luxurious cowboy butter sauce, adding a satisfying crunch to the meal.

Pasta Twist Ideas for Cowboy Butter Chicken

• Gluten-Free Pasta Option: Swap traditional linguine with gluten-free rice or chickpea pasta to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diners while maintaining the recipe's delicious flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream and cowboy butter with coconut cream and dairy-free butter alternative to create a lactose-free version that still delivers rich, creamy texture.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with plant-based alternatives like grilled tofu, tempeh, or roasted portobello mushrooms to transform the dish into a meat-free meal without losing protein content.
• Low-Carb Version: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of linguine to reduce carbohydrate intake while keeping the signature cowboy butter sauce and seasonings intact.

FAQs

• What is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is a flavor-packed compound butter made with herbs, garlic, and spices that adds rich, zesty taste to dishes. It’s known for its bold and creamy texture that enhances the overall flavor profile of the recipe.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While linguine works great, you can substitute with fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne. The key is choosing a pasta that can hold the creamy sauce well and complement the chicken.

• How spicy is this dish?

The recipe has a mild kick from crushed red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust the heat level. Use less pepper flakes for a milder version or add more if you prefer a spicier meal. The cream sauce helps balance the heat.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The current recipe is not gluten-free due to regular pasta. To make it gluten-free, simply swap the linguine with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Cowboy butter chicken linguine brings rustic ranch charm to classic Italian pasta with a spicy southwestern twist. Creamy, zesty sauce and tender chicken create a mouthwatering fusion that draws you into a delicious culinary adventure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine

Seasoning and Sauce Components:

• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil.
2. Submerge linguine and cook until achieving that perfect al dente texture, following package guidance.
3. Carefully drain pasta, reserving it for the upcoming culinary assembly.
4. Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high temperature.
5. Position chicken pieces strategically in a single layer across the heated surface.
6. Lavishly sprinkle paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper across the protein, creating an even seasoning landscape.
7. Allow chicken to transform into a golden-brown masterpiece, searing approximately 3-4 minutes on the initial side.
8. Introduce cowboy butter, creating a sizzling transformation as chicken pieces elegantly flip.
9. Continue cooking until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring complete culinary perfection.
10. Transfer chicken to a waiting plate, tenderly covering with foil to maintain optimal warmth.
11. Reduce skillet temperature to a gentle low, welcoming remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, and crushed red pepper flakes.
12. Use a spatula to liberate delicious browned bits, stirring until a luxurious, smooth sauce emerges.
13. Reunite cooked linguine and chicken within the skillet’s embrace, thoroughly coating every strand with the velvety sauce.
14. Brighten the dish with a splash of zesty lemon juice, awakening the flavor profile.
15. Plate the creation immediately, adorning with fresh lemon slices and vibrant parsley as a final flourish.

Notes

• Opt for high-quality chicken breasts to ensure tender, juicy meat that absorbs the cowboy butter sauce perfectly.
• Toast your chicken seasoning briefly in the skillet before adding meat to enhance the spice blend’s depth and aroma.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee precise chicken doneness, preventing overcooking and maintaining optimal moisture.
• Transform this recipe into a gluten-free version by substituting regular linguine with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for added nutrition.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg