Name: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), 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; 8 oz linguine; ¼ cup reserved pasta water; Salted water, for boiling; ½ cup 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)

Description

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a creamy, garlicky pasta dish that combines tender chicken bites with a silky, flavor-packed cowboy butter sauce. Featuring notes of garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan, it’s a one-pan wonder that’s indulgent yet easy—ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for cozy weeknights or when you need a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal fast.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), 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
¼ cup reserved pasta water
Salted water, for boiling

For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:

½ cup 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)

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Instructions

Cook Pasta:
Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook linguine until al dente (8–10 minutes). Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
Sear Chicken:
Pat chicken dry. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne (optional), salt, and pepper.
In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Make Cowboy Butter Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
Stir in chicken broth, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.
Whisk in cream and Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
Combine:
Add linguine and reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss to coat.
Return chicken to skillet and mix gently.
Serve:
Top with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Use room temperature butter for a smoother sauce.

Don’t skip the pasta water—it helps emulsify the sauce.

Adjust spice level with cayenne and red pepper flakes.

Try swapping chicken for shrimp, steak, or roasted vegetables.

Add in spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Plats
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American