Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – Creamy Garlic Pasta with Bold Flavor and Juicy Chicken
Samantha
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a flavor-packed pasta dish featuring juicy chicken breast, rich garlic herb cowboy butter, and tender linguine. It’s creamy, comforting, and ready in under 40 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights, high-protein meal prep, or a cozy dinner at home.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Comfort Food
Servings 4 servings
Calories 620 kcal
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast thinly sliced
- 8 oz linguine
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated parmesan for topping
Cook the Linguine: Boil in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Sear the Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. In a large skillet, cook in olive oil over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
Make Cowboy Butter: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Sauté for 1–2 minutes.
Toss Pasta & Chicken: Add linguine and chicken to the skillet. Pour in lemon juice and a splash of pasta water. Toss everything to coat.
Finish & Serve: Stir in fresh parsley. Top with parmesan if desired and serve hot.
Secret Tips for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Success
1. Brown the chicken first: Sear your chicken thighs or breasts until golden before adding them to the creamy garlic pasta sauce. This not only locks in juiciness but adds those flavorful browned bits to the base of your cowboy butter sauce—key for that bold flavor punch.
2. Don’t rush the cowboy butter: Let the butter slowly melt with garlic, lemon juice, Dijon, and herbs to infuse the fat with deep, rich flavor. Rushing this step can lead to a flat-tasting sauce. This seasoned butter is what gives this cowboy butter chicken linguine its signature kick.
3. Use pasta water wisely: Reserve at least ½ cup of starchy pasta water before draining the linguine. It helps emulsify the sauce, thicken it naturally, and bind the buttery chicken linguine into a silky, crave-worthy bowl.
4. Try dark meat for next-level tenderness: While chicken breast works fine, boneless chicken thighs add richer flavor and stay moist, especially when cooked in this creamy cowboy butter sauce.
5. Don’t skip the lemon and red pepper flakes: Acidity and spice brighten up the richness of the creamy garlic linguine. A squeeze of lemon and a pinch of chili flakes take this dish from comforting to unforgettable.
6. Add chopped spinach or kale at the end: For a balanced one-pot pasta, fold in fresh greens just before serving. It boosts nutrition and keeps this cowboy butter chicken linguine recipe aligned with healthy comfort food goals.
7. Let it rest before serving: After tossing everything together, let your pasta rest for 2–3 minutes before plating. It helps the cowboy butter sauce cling to the linguine and allows flavors to deepen.
8. Finish with fresh herbs: Top your dish with fresh parsley, thyme, or even chives to lift the richness of the dish and give it a restaurant-quality touch. Fresh herbs make your creamy garlic pasta feel lighter and more vibrant.
This recipe isn’t just another creamy chicken pasta—it’s a full-flavor comfort meal that combines bold garlic butter chicken with luscious linguine in every forkful.Keyword buttery_herb_chicken_pasta_recipe, cowboy_butter_chicken_linguine, creamy_garlic_butter_pasta_with_chicken, easy_chicken_linguine_dinner, high_protein_garlic_chicken_pasta, one_pan_chicken_linguine_meal, spicy_cowboy_butter_chicken_pasta
