Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine | Bold, Buttery, and Irresistibly Good
Bold, buttery, and irresistibly good—this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is the ultimate one-pan dinner! Juicy seared chicken, silky linguine, and garlicky cowboy butter sauce come together in just 30 minutes. A crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for weeknights, pasta night, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 12 oz linguine pasta regular or gluten-free
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook the PastaBoil linguine according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken- Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and paprika.- In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat.- Add chicken and sauté for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
- Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce- In the same skillet, melt remaining 4 tbsp butter.- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).- Stir in lemon zest, juice, mustard, red pepper flakes, parsley, and chives. Cook for 1–2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine & FinishReturn chicken to the skillet. Add drained linguine and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat the pasta in the cowboy butter sauce.
- ServeTop with grated Parmesan and extra herbs. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Secret Tips for the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Use freshly minced garlic: For the boldest flavor, always use fresh garlic in your cowboy butter sauce pasta—jarred garlic won’t deliver the same rich aroma or depth.
- Don’t skip the lemon zest: Zest adds brightness and cuts through the richness of the butter. It balances your cowboy butter chicken linguine and elevates the sauce.
- Get a good sear on your chicken: For juicy, flavorful cowboy butter chicken, let your chicken strips develop a nice golden crust before adding them to the pasta.
- Reserve your pasta water: Adding reserved pasta water helps the cowboy butter sauce cling perfectly to the linguine for a glossy, silky finish.
- Customize your spice level: If you love heat, turn this into a spicy cowboy butter chicken linguine by adding extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
- Choose high-quality butter: Since butter is the star of this dish, use the best unsalted butter you can find for the richest, most flavorful cowboy butter chicken pasta.
- Toss the pasta well: When combining your linguine with the sauce and chicken, toss vigorously with tongs so every strand gets coated in that luscious cowboy butter sauce pasta.
- Make it ahead: This dish is a fantastic option for cowboy butter chicken meal prep. The flavors develop beautifully, making your leftovers taste even better.
- Try different proteins: Want a twist on your cowboy butter chicken linguine? Swap in shrimp, steak, or even salmon—this versatile sauce pairs well with so many proteins.
- Add veggies for extra nutrition: Toss in spinach, asparagus, bell peppers, or broccoli to turn this indulgent cowboy butter chicken linguine recipe into a balanced one-pan meal.