Name: Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces of linguine; 1½ pounds of chicken breasts (skinless and boneless), cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil; ½ teaspoon of paprika; ½ teaspoon of garlic salt; ½ teaspoon of kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon of black pepper; ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) of cowboy butter, divided; ¾ cup of heavy cream; 1 teaspoon of garlic salt; ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes; ½ teaspoon of lemon juice; Lemon slices for garnish; Chopped parsley for garnish

Easy and Tasty Pasta

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a delicious and quick meal for any night of the week. This dish combines tender chicken pieces with a rich and creamy cowboy butter sauce infused with flavors from garlic, paprika, and a hint of lemon for brightness. The linguine soaks up the sauce beautifully, making it a comforting and satisfying dish. The recipe is versatile, allowing you to add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers for added nutrition and color. Follow these simple steps to create a perfect blend of flavors in just 25 minutes. Topped with lemon slices and parsley, it’s sure to impress your taste buds!

By Rose

Updated on Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:23:27 GMT

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine transforms ordinary pasta night into something truly special. This creamy, flavorful pasta dish combines tender chicken pieces with a rich, zesty sauce that's guaranteed to become a family favorite. The combination of cowboy butter's bold flavors with perfectly cooked linguine creates a restaurant-worthy meal in just 25 minutes.

I've made this recipe countless times, and it never fails to impress. My family particularly loves how the cowboy butter adds a subtle kick without overwhelming the dish's creamy comfort.

Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips

Linguine: Choose high-quality pasta that holds sauce well; bronze-die pasta is ideal
Chicken breasts: Select fresh, evenly sized pieces for consistent cooking
Cowboy butter: The star ingredient that infuses depth and complexity
Heavy cream: Full-fat version creates the silkiest sauce
Fresh lemon: Brightens the entire dish; use fresh, never bottled juice
Garlic salt: Adds layered seasoning without extra prep

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Pasta Preparation: Boil water in a large pot with 1 tablespoon salt; Cook linguine until perfectly al dente (about 9-11 minutes); Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining
Step 2: Chicken Cooking: Season chicken pieces evenly with spice mixture; Sear until golden brown (3-4 minutes per side); Add cowboy butter for extra flavor development
Step 3: Sauce Creation: Combine remaining butter and cream over low heat; Scrape pan bottom to incorporate browned bits; Simmer until slightly thickened

My family particularly enjoys the cowboy butter - it's become our secret weapon for elevating simple dishes. The combination of herbs and spices creates an unforgettable flavor profile that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Storage and Reheating

The dish keeps well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or pasta water to restore the sauce's silky texture. The flavors actually develop further overnight, making leftovers equally delicious.

This recipe has become my go-to for both family dinners and entertaining guests. The way the cowboy butter melts into the cream sauce, creating rich, complex flavors while remaining incredibly simple to prepare, makes it truly special. It's proof that a few quality ingredients, treated with care, can create something extraordinary.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is Cowboy Butter?: Cowboy Butter is a compound butter infused with garlic, herbs, paprika, cayenne, and other seasonings to add flavor.
→ Can I use a different pasta?: Yes, you can substitute linguine with spaghetti, fettuccine, or any pasta you prefer.
→ What vegetables can I add?: You can add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
→ How do I know the chicken is cooked?: Chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F or when it is no longer pink inside.
→ Can this be made ahead of time?: It’s best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta

A flavorful pasta dish with chicken and creamy cowboy butter sauce.

Prep Time

10 Minutes

Cook Time

15 Minutes

Total Time

25 Minutes

By: Rose

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Pasta

01 8 ounces of linguine

→ Chicken

02 1½ pounds of chicken breasts (skinless and boneless), cut into 1-inch pieces

03 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

04 ½ teaspoon of paprika

05 ½ teaspoon of garlic salt

06 ½ teaspoon of kosher salt

07 ¼ teaspoon of black pepper

→ Sauce

08 ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) of cowboy butter, divided

09 ¾ cup of heavy cream

10 1 teaspoon of garlic salt

11 ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes

12 ½ teaspoon of lemon juice

13 Lemon slices for garnish

14 Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 01

In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add salt. Cook the linguine according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 02

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Lay the chicken pieces in a single layer and season with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and black pepper evenly. Sauté the chicken for 3-4 minutes until it’s golden on one side. Add 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter, flip the chicken, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until done (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove the chicken and keep it warm.

Step 03

Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir gently while scraping up the browned bits from the pan.

Step 04

Return the cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet. Toss them together in the buttery sauce. Stir in the lemon juice and garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

This dish pairs well with vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers for added flavor and nutrients.

Cowboy butter is a savory compound butter usually flavored with garlic, paprika, cayenne, lemon zest, parsley, and other herbs. You can easily make it at home if unavailable.

Tools You'll Need

Large pot

Large skillet

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: 761
Total Fat: ~
Total Carbohydrate: ~
Protein: ~