If you are looking for a dish that combines indulgent, rich flavors with a satisfying pasta experience, then the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This recipe brings together tender bites of chicken, enveloped in a luscious cowboy butter sauce, mingled perfectly with silky linguine. The harmony of smoky spices, creamy sauce, and a hint of lemon makes every forkful a delightful adventure. It’s a dish that feels special but is surprisingly simple to make, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or an impressive weekend treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may look straightforward, but each one plays a vital role in creating the rich, flavorful magic of the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe. From the tender chicken bites to the creamy heavy cream and zesty lemon, every item is carefully chosen to build layers of taste and texture.
- Linguine, 8 ounces: The perfect pasta to soak up the buttery sauce while providing a tender bite.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 ½ pounds: Cut into 1-inch pieces to ensure quick and even cooking with a juicy center.
- Extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons: Adds depth and helps achieve that perfect golden sear on the chicken.
- Paprika, ½ teaspoon: Brings a subtle smoky warmth to the dish without overpowering it.
- Garlic salt, 1 ½ teaspoons total: Infuses the chicken and sauce with bright, aromatic garlic flavor.
- Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon: Enhances all the flavors and balances the richness of the butter and cream.
- Pepper, ¼ teaspoon: Adds just the right amount of spice and complexity.
- Cowboy butter, ¼ cup divided (4 tablespoons): This star ingredient brings a unique, buttery, herb-infused richness that’s absolutely irresistible.
- Heavy cream, ¾ cup: Creates a silky, luxurious sauce that clings to every strand of linguine.
- Crushed red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon: Offers a subtle kick that awakens the palate.
- Lemon juice, ½ teaspoon: Adds a fresh, bright contrast that lifts the entire dish.
- Lemon slices and chopped parsley, for garnish: The final touch for color, aroma, and a hint of freshness.
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Linguine
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cooking the linguine until al dente is essential because you want that tender yet firm chew to complement the creamy sauce. Drain it carefully and set aside, ready to soak up all the flavorful goodness coming next.
Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Chicken
While the pasta is cooking, season your chicken bites with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it develops a beautiful golden crust on all sides. Once the chicken starts to brown, add half of the cowboy butter, letting it melt and coat the pieces. This step builds those incredible layers of buttery and herbaceous flavor that make this dish standout.
Step 3: Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce
Remove the cooked chicken and set it aside on a plate. In the same skillet, melt the remaining cowboy butter over medium heat. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the garlic salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir steadily to combine everything into a smooth, creamy sauce that’s perfectly balanced with a little heat and endless richness.
Step 4: Combine Chicken, Linguine, and Sauce
Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked linguine. Toss everything gently to ensure each pasta strand gets coated with that vibrant cowboy butter sauce and even flavor from the chicken. Finish by stirring in the fresh lemon juice, which brightens the dish and cuts through the creaminess with an invigorating hint.
Step 5: Final Touches
Your Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is almost ready to serve! Garnish generously with fresh lemon slices and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. These accents add freshness and a pop of color, making the dish not just delicious but also inviting to the eyes.
How to Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Garnishes
Lemon slices and chopped parsley are the classic garnishes for this recipe. The lemon slices offer a little zest you can squeeze over the pasta, and the parsley adds a lovely green contrast that refreshes every bite. For an extra touch, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese works beautifully too!
Side Dishes
To complement the rich flavors of the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe, consider a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. These sides bring balance and texture to your meal by adding a fresh, vibrant crunch alongside the creamy pasta.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to make this dish feel extra special? Serve it in shallow bowls for a cozy, rustic vibe or use a bright white plate to really make the golden sauce pop. Adding a few lemon twists or edible flowers on top can elevate your presentation for dinner guests or a special occasion.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken as it cools, so give it a gentle stir when reheating to bring back its creamy texture.
Freezing
This pasta dish is best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to freeze it, separate the chicken and linguine from the sauce. Freeze them in separate containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve the best flavor and texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low-medium heat, stirring often. You can add a splash of heavy cream or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid using high heat, which can cause the cream to separate and the chicken to dry out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe?
Absolutely! While linguine is ideal for holding the creamy sauce, other pasta shapes like fettuccine, penne, or even spaghetti can work wonderfully. Just adjust cooking times accordingly so your pasta is perfectly al dente.
What is cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is a flavorful compound butter made with herbs, garlic, spices, and sometimes a hint of citrus or heat. It adds a rich, buttery, and aromatic kick that elevates simple dishes like this linguine to something extraordinary.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version of the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe, substitute the cowboy butter with a vegan herb butter and swap the heavy cream for coconut cream or a creamy non-dairy alternative. The sauce may taste slightly different but will stay creamy and delicious!
How spicy is this dish?
The dish carries a mild warmth from the paprika and crushed red pepper flakes, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. If you prefer more heat, feel free to add extra red pepper flakes when making the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes! The Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is perfect for meal prep since it reheats well and maintains its flavor. Just be mindful to store the components properly and reheat gently to keep the creamy texture intact.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something incredibly comforting and satisfying about the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe that makes it a go-to for any pasta lover. It feels indulgent and decadent without being complicated, which is why it’s so special to share with friends and family. I hope you dive into this recipe soon and discover just how easy it is to create a restaurant-worthy meal in your own kitchen. Happy cooking!
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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a rich and flavorful pasta dish that features tender chicken bites cooked to golden perfection, tossed in a creamy cowboy butter sauce infused with garlic, paprika, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. Garnished with fresh lemon slices and parsley, this meal is ready in just 25 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a quick yet indulgent dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons / 57 g) cowboy butter, divided
Sauce
- ¾ cup (178.5 g) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Season the chicken bites with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Add half of the cowboy butter to the skillet and continue to cook until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining cowboy butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream, garlic salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir the mixture continuously until well combined and slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Dish: Add the cooked linguine and chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy cowboy butter sauce. Stir in the lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the linguine and chicken mixture, garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley for a fresh and vibrant finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine to the sauce while it simmers.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Cowboy butter is a flavorful compound butter usually made with herbs and spices; it can be substituted with garlic herb butter if needed.
- Make sure not to overcook the linguine to keep it perfectly al dente.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
