Sizzling Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Creamy and bold, this cowboy butter chicken linguine recipe bursts with unexpected flavors that dance across your palate.

Robust spices mingle with tender chicken pieces in a decadent sauce that promises pure comfort.

Every twirl of linguine captures the rich, velvety essence of this hearty dish.

Weeknight dinners just became extraordinary with this simple yet stunning meal.

The combination of classic Italian pasta and zesty southwestern-inspired butter creates a culinary adventure on your plate.

Home cooks will love how quickly this restaurant-quality dinner comes together.

Savor each bite and let your taste buds embark on a delicious journey.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Top Features

• Savor Quick Culinary Adventure: Dive into a mouthwatering dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal with minimal cooking skills required.
• Enjoy Versatile Flavor Explosion: Experience a perfect blend of zesty cowboy butter, creamy sauce, and tender chicken that appeals to various taste preferences and satisfies comfort food cravings.
• Master One-Pan Convenience: Streamline your cooking process by preparing everything in a single skillet, reducing cleanup time and making meal preparation a breeze for busy home cooks.
• Elevate Weeknight Dinner Game: Impress family and friends with a restaurant-quality pasta dish that looks sophisticated but comes together effortlessly in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

• Linguine Pasta: A classic Italian long, flat noodle that serves as the base for this creamy chicken dish.
• Chicken Breast: Tender protein that provides a hearty and satisfying component to the meal.

• Paprika, Garlic Salt, Salt, Pepper: Spices that add depth and enhance the overall flavor profile of the chicken.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a subtle heat and warmth to the sauce.

• Cowboy Butter, Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, luxurious sauce that coats the pasta and chicken.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Slices: Adds brightness and a fresh citrus note to balance the creamy sauce.
• Cooking Oil: Helps to sear the chicken and prevent sticking to the pan.

How to Cook 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.

Gently slide the linguine into the bubbling water.

Cook the pasta until it reaches the perfect al dente texture, following the package guidelines.

Once done, drain the pasta completely and set it aside.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

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

Carefully place chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring they’re not overcrowded.

• Paprika
• Garlic salt
• Salt
• Black pepper

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

Step 3: Add First Butter Blast

Drop cowboy butter into the sizzling skillet.

Flip the chicken pieces and continue cooking until they’re thoroughly browned and reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F, which takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Rest the Chicken

Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.

Cover loosely with foil to keep it warm and juicy.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

• Remaining cowboy butter
• Heavy cream
• Garlic salt
• Red pepper flakes

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

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

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Return the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet.

Toss everything in the luxurious sauce, ensuring each strand of pasta is beautifully coated.

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and give it a final stir.

Garnish with bright lemon slices for a pop of color and extra zesty flavor before serving.

Tips for Creamy, Buttery Linguine

• Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking and consistent flavor absorption.
• Use high-fat European-style butter for richer, more intense cowboy butter taste.
• Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat tolerance without overwhelming the dish.
• Stir linguine occasionally while boiling to prevent sticking and ensure al dente consistency.
• Keep heat low when adding cream to maintain smooth, creamy sauce without curdling.

Chicken Linguine Variations to Explore

• Gluten-Free Delight: Swap linguine with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with firm tofu or roasted chickpeas, maintaining the creamy cowboy butter sauce.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and dairy-free butter substitute for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Increase red pepper flakes or add jalapeños for those craving extra heat in the dish.

Serving Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

• Cowboy Comfort Plate: Pile the linguine and chicken onto a rustic wooden board for a hearty, ranch-style presentation that screams homestyle deliciousness.
• Zesty Lemon Burst: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and extra red pepper flakes over the dish to add bright colors and an extra punch of flavor that makes each bite exciting.
• Creamy Cheese Dream: Grate some sharp parmesan or crumble tangy feta cheese on top to enhance the rich butter sauce and add a delightful creamy texture that complements the chicken perfectly.
• Side Kick Companions: Serve alongside a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables to balance the rich, indulgent pasta and create a complete, satisfying meal that will leave everyone happy.

Storing Chicken Linguine Leftovers

• Store leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The creamy sauce might thicken when chilled, so gently reheat with a splash of cream or milk.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and maintain sauce consistency. Add a small amount of cream or butter to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• For longer storage, freeze the dish in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the best texture and flavor.
• Keep separate components like cooked chicken and sauce in different containers if you want to maintain maximum freshness and prevent the pasta from becoming soggy during storage.

FAQs

• What is cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is a flavorful compound butter made with melted butter, herbs like parsley and chives, garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes, creating a rich and zesty seasoning.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute linguine with other pasta like fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne. Choose a pasta that can hold the creamy sauce well.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring it’s safely cooked through and remains juicy.

• Is this recipe spicy?

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

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cowboy butter chicken linguine blends rustic American ranch charm with creamy Italian pasta perfection. Rich, herbed butter sauce coats tender chicken and al dente linguine, creating a mouthwatering meal that satisfies hearty appetites with bold, comforting flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine

Chicken:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic salt
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon pepper

Sauce and Garnish:

• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) cowboy butter, divided
• 0.75 cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon lemon juice
• lemon slices, for garnish
• parsley, chopped for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Submerge linguine and cook until it reaches perfect al dente texture, following package guidance. Carefully drain and reserve the pasta.
2. Ignite a large skillet over medium-high flame, introducing a thin layer of oil. Strategically place chicken pieces in a single, uncrowded layer. Dust with paprika, garlic salt, ground pepper, and a whisper of salt. Sear for 3-4 minutes until achieving a golden, crisp exterior.
3. Introduce the first wave of cowboy butter into the sizzling skillet. Gently flip chicken pieces, continuing to cook until achieving a perfect internal temperature of 165F and developing a rich, caramelized surface.
4. Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a waiting plate, loosely tenting with foil to preserve warmth and moisture.
5. Reduce skillet temperature to a gentle low. Melt remaining cowboy butter, blending seamlessly with heavy cream, a sprinkle of garlic salt, and a provocative hint of red pepper flakes. Deglaze the pan, capturing every nuanced brown bit for maximum flavor complexity.
6. Reunite the cooked linguine and seared chicken within the creamy sauce. Drizzle with bright lemon juice, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Garnish with delicate lemon slices for a final, elegant touch before serving.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection Choose high-quality linguine for best texture and ensure water is heavily salted to enhance flavor throughout cooking process.
• Chicken Browning Technique Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Sauce Stability Use low heat when combining cream and butter to prevent separation and maintain smooth, silky consistency.
• Dietary Adaptations Swap linguine with zucchini noodles for low-carb version or use gluten-free pasta for wheat-sensitive diners.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg