There’s something about a skillet full of creamy linguine that just hushes a busy day. And let me tell you, Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine has become that meal for my family—the kind that says, “You’re home now.”
I remember the first time I made this after a long day of work and track meets. I was tired, the kids were hangry, and I had a few chicken breasts and half a box of pasta staring at me. That’s when I reached for my stash of homemade cowboy butter—zesty, garlicky, full of life. In 25 minutes, we were slurping pasta and passing forks back for seconds. My Dalmatian drooled through the whole thing. No regrets.
What Is Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine?
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a one-skillet pasta dish starring seared chicken bites, a tangy-spicy cowboy butter sauce, and silky linguine—all brought together in under 30 minutes. Think garlic, lemon, crushed red pepper, and fresh parsley riding shotgun in a rich cream sauce.
Cowboy butter is the flavor hero here—a compound butter made with herbs, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a little heat. It transforms the everyday into something wild and comforting at once.
Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Dinner in 25 Minutes: Yes, really. One pan. One pot.
- Family Approved: Even my pickiest child (and that’s saying something) asked for seconds.
- Customizable Heat: Mild, spicy, or somewhere in between—you call the shots.
- Zesty, Creamy Comfort: It’s like Alfredo with a cowboy hat.
Tips for Making the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Cut Even Chicken Pieces so everything cooks evenly.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice for brightness—it wakes up the cream.
- Don’t Skip the Brown Bits: After searing the chicken, scrape those flavor bombs into your sauce.
- Garnish Smart: A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a lemon slice make this dish look like you ordered it at a bistro.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz linguine (or pasta of choice)
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup (4 tbsp) cowboy butter (divided)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp fresh lemon juice
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices
How to Make Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Boil Pasta: Cook linguine in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season, and sear 3-4 minutes per side.
- Add Cowboy Butter: Add 2 tbsp cowboy butter to the skillet, flip the chicken, and cook until golden and cooked through.
- Remove Chicken: Transfer chicken to a plate, tent with foil.
- Make the Sauce: Lower heat. Add remaining cowboy butter, cream, garlic salt, red pepper flakes. Stir well, scraping browned bits.
- Combine: Add cooked linguine and chicken. Toss everything together.
- Finish with Lemon: Stir in lemon juice. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and lemon slices.
Top Tips for Perfecting Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give your chicken room to sear.
- Use Homemade Cowboy Butter if possible. It’s easy—mix softened butter with garlic, Dijon, lemon, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
- Toss Gently: Use tongs or a large spoon to coat the pasta without breaking it.
- Double the Sauce: If you love it extra creamy, add an extra splash of cream and butter at the end.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To Store:
Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Reheat:
Warm on the stove over medium-low with a splash of cream or water to rehydrate the sauce. Microwave in 30-second bursts if you’re in a rush.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Pasta pot
- Tongs
- Wooden spoon
- Sharp knife + cutting board
- Microplane or zester (for lemon)
FAQs
Can I use a different protein?
Yes! Try shrimp, tofu, or even beef cubes. Just sear as you would the chicken.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter and full-fat coconut milk in place of cream. The flavor will shift but still be rich.
How spicy is this dish?
It’s gently spicy—enough to wake up your taste buds but not overpower. Adjust red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
What’s cowboy butter?
It’s a spiced compound butter with garlic, lemon, herbs, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. It’s magic on everything from steak to veggies.
Can I freeze this?
It’s best fresh, but you can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat gently with added cream.
Conclusion
This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine has fast become one of my favorite ways to feed my family on a chaotic night without sacrificing flavor. It’s easy, soul-hugging food that tastes like it took hours—when in fact, it takes under 30 minutes.
And honestly? The cowboy butter alone is worth making in batches and keeping in the fridge. You’ll find excuses to use it again and again. Just ask my parrot—he mimics the sizzle every time I reach for the pan.
Print
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a zesty, creamy pasta dish with seared chicken, a bold cowboy butter sauce, and tender linguine. It comes together in just 25 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 8 oz linguine
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup (4 tbsp) cowboy butter, divided
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)
- Lemon slices (garnish)
Instructions
- Cook linguine in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat oil. Add chicken and season with spices. Sear 3–4 minutes per side.
- Add 2 tbsp cowboy butter to pan. Flip chicken and cook until golden and cooked through.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- Reduce heat, add remaining butter, cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir and scrape the pan.
- Add pasta and chicken back to the pan. Toss to coat.
- Stir in lemon juice. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices. Serve hot.
Notes
To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free linguine. For a dairy-free option, substitute with plant-based cream and butter. Adjust red pepper flakes for desired heat level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 761
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, cowboy butter pasta, 25-minute dinner
