If you’re craving a dish that brings a bold burst of flavor with creamy, buttery goodness, you’ve just found your new favorite: the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe. This delightful pasta combines tender chicken bites seared in rich cowboy butter with a luscious, spiced cream sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of linguine. It’s an irresistible meal that balances comforting textures with a hint of smoky heat, delivering a satisfying dinner that’s not only quick to make but guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to share your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that are simple yet deliver incredible flavor. Each item plays an important role, from seasoning the chicken perfectly to creating that decadent sauce that ties everything together with creamy, buttery charm.
- Linguine (8 ounces): Classic pasta that serves as the perfect base for soaking up the rich sauce.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 ½ pounds): Cut into 1-inch bites for quick cooking and juicy tenderness.
- Extra virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons): Adds a gentle fruitiness and helps get a nice sear on the chicken.
- Paprika (½ teaspoon): Provides smoky warmth that complements the cowboy butter beautifully.
- Garlic salt (1 ½ teaspoons total): Enhances the savory depth both in the chicken and sauce.
- Kosher salt (½ teaspoon): Perfectly seasons the chicken for balanced flavor.
- Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Offers just the right amount of subtle heat.
- Cowboy butter (½ cup divided): The star ingredient—rich, buttery, and spiced, it takes the dish to the next level.
- Heavy cream (¾ cup): Creates a silky, indulgent sauce that wraps every bite in comfort.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (¼ teaspoon): Adds a gentle kick to awaken the palate.
- Lemon juice (½ teaspoon): A touch of acidity that brightens and balances the richness.
- Lemon slices: Fresh garnish that adds color and a hint of citrus aroma.
- Chopped parsley: A fresh pop of green and flavor to finish the dish beautifully.
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Linguine
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for your linguine. Cook the pasta until it’s just al dente, which means tender but still with a tiny bite in the center—this texture will hold up wonderfully when tossed with the creamy sauce later on. Once cooked, drain the linguine and set it aside, keeping it warm while you prepare the rest of the dish.
Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken
In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. While the oil warms, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook it until golden brown on the outside. Then, add half of the cowboy butter to the skillet and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and perfectly browned, absorbing all those spicy, buttery flavors.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining cowboy butter in the same skillet. Once melted, pour in the heavy cream and season with garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir gently until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld together into a velvety blend that will coat the pasta delightfully.
Step 4: Combine Linguine and Chicken with Sauce
Add the cooked linguine back into the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything carefully to coat the pasta evenly with the rich, buttery cream sauce. Finish by stirring in the lemon juice, which cuts through the richness and brings a bright freshness that elevates the dish beautifully.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Once everything is combined and piping hot, plate your Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and a sprinkle of chopped parsley to add color, aroma, and that final touch of fresh flavor that makes this recipe sing at every bite.
How to Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Garnishes
Lemon slices and chopped parsley are classic garnishes that play a dual role of adding vibrancy and a layer of fresh brightness. The citrus aroma from the lemon slices pairs incredibly well with the buttery sauce, while parsley adds a contrasting pop of green and a mild herbaceous note that lifts the entire dish.
Side Dishes
This linguine pairs wonderfully with simple, fresh sides like a crisp green salad tossed with vinaigrette or roasted vegetables. Something light helps balance the richness of the cowboy butter sauce, making for a well-rounded meal that leaves you satisfied without feeling heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe in individual shallow bowls and add a slight drizzle of extra cowboy butter on top just before serving. You can also add a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese or even some toasted pine nuts for an interesting texture contrast that delights guests and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making the leftovers taste even more delicious. Be sure to cool it down before refrigerating to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to prepare it ahead for busy nights. Transfer cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Keep in mind that the texture of the cream sauce might change slightly after freezing but reheating with a splash of cream or milk can restore its creamy consistency.
Reheating
When reheating, it’s best to warm the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine gently on the stove over low heat. Add a small amount of heavy cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir often to ensure even heating and to keep the chicken tender and moist.
FAQs
Can I use another type of pasta instead of linguine?
Absolutely! While linguine is ideal for holding the creamy sauce, fettuccine, spaghetti, or even penne can work nicely depending on your preference.
What exactly is cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is a rich, flavorful compound butter infused with spices like garlic, paprika, and sometimes herbs. It adds a smoky, buttery kick perfect for chicken and steaks.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has a gentle heat from the paprika and crushed red pepper flakes but is very manageable. You can adjust the pepper flakes to increase or decrease the spiciness to your taste.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a non-dairy cream alternative, and use a dairy-free butter substitute in place of cowboy butter.
How long does it take to prepare and cook?
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe takes about 25 minutes total, making it a quick but impressive meal for any weeknight or casual dinner.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe, it’s going to become a staple in your dinner rotation. It’s that perfect blend of simple ingredients coming together in a way that feels indulgent, tasty, and just downright satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this dish promises a cozy, flavorful experience every time.
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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 flavorful and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken bites cooked in rich cowboy butter, combined with al dente linguine and a spicy, savory cream sauce. Garnished with fresh lemon slices and parsley, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons / 57 g) cowboy butter, divided
Sauce
- ¾ cup (178.5 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- lemon slices, for garnish
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Season the chicken bites with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides. Then add half of the cowboy butter and continue cooking until the chicken is browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C).
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining cowboy butter over medium heat. Stir in the heavy cream, garlic salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook while stirring until the sauce is warmed through and well combined, allowing it to slightly thicken.
- Combine Dish: Add the cooked linguine and chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly. Stir in the lemon juice to add brightness to the dish.
- Serve: Plate the linguine and chicken immediately. Garnish each serving with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Use fresh parsley for best garnish flavor and appearance.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your desired spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly to avoid any food safety issues.
- For extra richness, you can increase the amount of cowboy butter slightly.
- Leftover cowboy butter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
