Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: Bold & Creamy Recipe

Introduction

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a bold and creamy pasta dish packed with flavorful chicken and a rich, buttery sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it combines tender linguine with a luscious, slightly spicy sauce that’s sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225g) linguine pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra spice)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
• For the cowboy butter sauce:
  • Melted butter
  • Garlic
  • Dijon mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Smoked paprika
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Lemon juice
  • Parsley
  • Salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Set aside for later use.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken slices with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the cowboy butter sauce and let it simmer for 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until combined. Add the Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the pan, stirring to coat it in the sauce. Add the cooked linguine, tossing everything together until fully coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh garlic and fresh herbs for a brighter flavor in the cowboy butter sauce.
• Swap chicken breast for thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your spice preference, or omit for a milder dish.
• If you don’t have fresh basil or parsley, dried herbs can work in a pinch, but add them early in the sauce to release their flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different pasta instead of linguine?

Yes, any long pasta like fettuccine, spaghetti, or even penne will work well with this creamy sauce.

Is there a substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk thickened with a small amount of flour or cornstarch, but the sauce will be less rich and creamy.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: Bold & Creamy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 62 reviews

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a bold and creamy pasta dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breast cooked to perfection and tossed in a rich, flavorful cowboy butter sauce with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Garnished with fresh herbs, it’s a satisfying, hearty meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

• Author: Viktoria
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz (225g) linguine pasta

Chicken

• 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup (56g) melted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (plus additional ½ teaspoon optional for more spice)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish

• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Set the sauce aside for later use.
3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the sliced chicken breast with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
4. Make the Creamy Linguine Sauce: In the same skillet, add the prepared cowboy butter sauce and let it simmer gently for 1 minute to develop flavor. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
5. Combine & Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it in the creamy sauce. Add the cooked linguine to the pan, tossing everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately while warm and flavorful.

Notes

• Reserve some pasta water as it helps to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly and adds starch for better sauce adherence.
• You can adjust the heat level by increasing or omitting crushed red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
• Use fresh grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and creaminess.
• Ensure chicken is cooked through but remains juicy by not overcooking it in the skillet.
• Fresh herbs as garnish add a bright contrast to the rich sauce.

Keywords: cowboy butter chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, stovetop pasta recipe, bold chicken sauce, linguine with creamy sauce