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the best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

the best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 24 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a quick, flavor-packed pasta dinner that turns simple ingredients into something unforgettable. With tender, golden-brown chicken, silky linguine, and a rich, zesty cowboy butter sauce, this dish is indulgent, satisfying, and ready in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant—but you made it in one pan at home.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Pasta:

  • 8 oz linguine
  • Salted water, for boiling
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water

For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta – Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of pasta water. Drain and lightly toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Season and Sear the Chicken – While the pasta cooks, mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Toss over the cubed chicken to coat. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in a single layer for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  3. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce – In the same skillet (don’t clean it!), reduce heat to medium-low. Add the softened butter and let it melt gently. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Whisk and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Let it simmer gently until the sauce slightly thickens—do not boil.
  4. Bring It All Together – Return the chicken (with juices) to the skillet. Add the cooked linguine and toss everything together with tongs. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen and emulsify the sauce. Simmer 1–2 minutes for flavors to meld.
  5. Finish and Serve – Turn off the heat and stir in fresh parsley. Garnish with extra parsley, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with lemon slices or wedges for a fresh, zesty finish.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, pasta recipe, one-pan meal, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/the-best-cowboy-butter-chicken-linguine-recipe/