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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine 

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a bold, buttery, and slightly spicy chicken pasta tossed in a garlicky, lemony cowboy butter sauce. It’s packed with fresh herbs, seared chicken, and silky linguine for a comfort meal that feels fancy but is ready in under 35 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the chicken:
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • For the cowboy butter sauce:
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives or green onions (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the pasta:
  • 12 oz linguine
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest, then slice.
  3. In the same skillet, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice and zest, red pepper flakes, cayenne (if using), paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring often.
  5. Add cooked linguine and toss to coat in the cowboy butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Return sliced chicken to the pan and gently combine. Sprinkle with parsley, chives, and Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Swap chicken for shrimp or steak strips.
  • Add spinach, mushrooms, or blistered cherry tomatoes for veggies.
  • Fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne work well in place of linguine.
  • Want it creamy? Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end.
  • Use vegan butter and plant-based protein to make it dairy-free.
  • Author: Selena Trump
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 610
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 125mg

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, linguine, garlic butter pasta, lemon herb chicken, spicy chicken pasta