Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Enjoy rich, garlicky cowboy butter sauce tossed with tender chicken and linguine in this easy, flavorful Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine recipe — ready in 35 minutes!
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
For the cowboy butter:
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley plus more for garnish
For the linguine:
- 8 oz linguine
- Salt for pasta water
- Reserved pasta water about 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sear the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Make cowboy butter: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice and zest, red pepper flakes, paprika, Italian seasoning, and parsley.
- Toss pasta and chicken: Add cooked linguine and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss until the pasta is glossy and coated. Return chicken to the pan, tossing to combine.
- Garnish and serve: Finish with extra parsley and a wedge of lemon. Serve immediately while it’s hot.
Notes
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – Helpful Tips
✅ Cooking Tips & Techniques
• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced thinly for quick and even cooking. Thighs offer juicier results, breasts give a leaner bite.
• Make sure your pan is hot before adding chicken to get that beautiful golden sear that locks in flavor.
• Cowboy butter is rich and flavorful—don’t rush the simmer; let the butter and seasonings meld for maximum taste.
• Cook the linguine just until al dente according to package instructions; it will finish cooking slightly when tossed with the sauce. ✅ Serving Suggestions
• Pair with a fresh mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the buttery richness.
• Roasted or grilled asparagus or green beans make great, easy veggie sides.
• Top with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives for color and freshness.
• Serve with crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette to soak up every drop of that luscious sauce. ✅ Make-Ahead & Storage
• You can prep the cowboy butter sauce a day ahead and refrigerate; gently reheat before tossing with chicken and pasta.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
• This dish doesn’t freeze well once combined, but you can freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. ✅ Tasty Variations to Try
• Spicy Cowboy Butter – Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the butter for a smoky kick.
• Herb-Infused Butter – Mix fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage into the cowboy butter for a fragrant twist.
• Low-Carb Option – Swap linguine for zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles for a lighter meal.
• Creamy Mushroom Upgrade – Add sautéed mushrooms to the sauce for extra umami and depth.
• Smoky Bacon Boost – Stir in crispy bacon bits for texture and smoky richness.
• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced thinly for quick and even cooking. Thighs offer juicier results, breasts give a leaner bite.
• Make sure your pan is hot before adding chicken to get that beautiful golden sear that locks in flavor.
• Cowboy butter is rich and flavorful—don’t rush the simmer; let the butter and seasonings meld for maximum taste.
• Cook the linguine just until al dente according to package instructions; it will finish cooking slightly when tossed with the sauce. ✅ Serving Suggestions
• Pair with a fresh mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the buttery richness.
• Roasted or grilled asparagus or green beans make great, easy veggie sides.
• Top with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives for color and freshness.
• Serve with crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette to soak up every drop of that luscious sauce. ✅ Make-Ahead & Storage
• You can prep the cowboy butter sauce a day ahead and refrigerate; gently reheat before tossing with chicken and pasta.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
• This dish doesn’t freeze well once combined, but you can freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. ✅ Tasty Variations to Try
• Spicy Cowboy Butter – Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the butter for a smoky kick.
• Herb-Infused Butter – Mix fresh thyme, rosemary, or sage into the cowboy butter for a fragrant twist.
• Low-Carb Option – Swap linguine for zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles for a lighter meal.
• Creamy Mushroom Upgrade – Add sautéed mushrooms to the sauce for extra umami and depth.
• Smoky Bacon Boost – Stir in crispy bacon bits for texture and smoky richness.