Craving bold flavors, creamy pasta, and tender chicken all wrapped up in one soul-warming dish? Meet your new favorite dinner: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. It’s rich, buttery, garlicky, and spiked with just the right kick—everything you love about cowboy butter transformed into the ultimate comfort pasta. Quick enough for a weeknight, satisfying enough for a weekend splurge!
Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
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1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced thin
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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Salt & pepper, to taste
the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
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1 tsp paprika
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1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
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1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
the Pasta:
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12 oz linguine (or any long pasta of your choice)
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Salt for pasta water
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
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Extra parsley and lemon wedges for garnish
Required Kitchen Tools:
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Large skillet or sauté pan
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Large pot (for boiling pasta)
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Tongs or wooden spoon
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Garlic press or microplane (optional)
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Colander
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Cutting board and knife
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Measuring spoons and cups
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – Step-by-Step
1: Cook the Linguine
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
2: Season and Cook the Chicken
In a bowl, toss chicken with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5–7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
3: Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the butter and let it melt. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add Dijon mustard, lemon juice, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, and cayenne (if using). Let the flavors simmer together for about 2 minutes.
4: Combine Everything
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the cowboy butter. Add cooked linguine directly into the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky, emulsified sauce. Mix in chopped parsley and season with more salt and pepper as needed.
5: Serve and Garnish
Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan, more fresh parsley, and lemon wedges on the side for extra zing.
Tips to Make the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
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Use chicken thighs if you prefer extra juiciness and flavor. They hold up beautifully with the bold sauce.
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Don’t skip the lemon juice—it brightens up the richness of the butter and balances the heat.
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Make it extra creamy by adding a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of cream cheese in the final toss.
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Double the cowboy butter sauce if you like your pasta extra saucy (no judgment!).
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Want to add veggies? Spinach, blistered cherry tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms would be delicious additions.
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a flavorful, satisfying, and easy dinner that feels indulgent without being fussy, Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is your answer. It’s buttery, garlicky, spicy, and comforting—everything you want in a pasta night, all tied together in under 40 minutes.
Whether you’re cooking for the family or just treating yourself to a well-deserved comfort meal, this dish earns a top spot in your weeknight dinner rotation. Try it once, and it just might become your signature pasta dish.
