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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – Bold, Buttery & Packed with Flavor

Looking for a pasta dish that breaks the mold, tastes like steakhouse heaven, and is still easy enough for a weeknight dinner? Meet your new obsession: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. It’s rich, buttery, garlicky, spicy, zesty, and loaded with bold flavor that wraps around every bite of tender chicken and linguine. Inspired by the wildly addictive cowboy butter dipping sauce—usually served with steak—this dish reimagines that same tangy-spicy-herbaceous butter as a creamy pasta coating. Add juicy chicken and perfectly cooked linguine, and you've got a restaurant-quality comfort meal at home. Perfect for cozy nights, dinner dates, or when you’re craving something indulgent but not complicated. One bite, and you'll say, “Yeehaw!”
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🍗 Protein
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced or cubed
🍝 Pasta
  • 12 oz linguine cooked al dente
🧄 Herbs & Aromatics
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
  • 1 tbsp chives chopped (optional)
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
🧈 Butter Cowboy Base
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
🧀 Optional for Creaminess
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
🧴 Oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for searing chicken

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot (for pasta)
  • Colander
  • Tongs or pasta spoon
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Microplane or zester (for lemon)
  • 🧼 Minimal dishes, maximum flavor. It's a cowboy win.

Method
 

Step 1: Cook the Linguine
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente.
  3. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika.
  3. Sear until golden and fully cooked (about 5–6 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.
🍗 Thin strips = faster cooking and more flavor in every bite.
    Step 3: Make Cowboy Butter Sauce
    1. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add:
    2. 1/2 cup butter
    3. Garlic
    4. Red pepper flakes
    5. Paprika
    6. Thyme
    7. Once the butter is melted and fragrant (2–3 minutes), stir in:
    8. Dijon mustard
    9. Lemon zest and juice
    10. Salt and pepper to taste
    11. Optional: Add cream and Parmesan for a creamy cowboy butter sauce.
    Step 4: Bring It All Together
    1. Add cooked linguine and reserved chicken to the skillet.
    2. Toss with tongs until evenly coated.
    3. Add pasta water 1/4 cup at a time until sauce is silky and coats the pasta.
    Step 5: Finish with Herbs & Serve
    1. Stir in parsley and chives.
    2. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan, lemon wedges, or more chili flakes.
    🌿 Fresh herbs take this cowboy dish to gourmet status.

      Notes

      🧊 Storage & Reheating
      Refrigerator
      Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
      Reheat
      Gently warm in a skillet with a splash of cream or water to loosen sauce.
      🔄 Avoid microwaving too long to prevent rubbery chicken and clumpy pasta.
      🥄 Variations
      Cowboy cooking is all about adaptability. Here’s how to remix it:
      🥩 Cowboy Steak Linguine – Swap chicken for sliced grilled steak.
      🥬 Veggie Option – Use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini instead of meat.
      🧄 Extra Garlic – Roast garlic for a deeper, sweeter flavor base.
      🧀 Mac & Cowboy – Use macaroni and top with breadcrumbs for a baked version.
      🧈 Bourbon Kick – Add a splash of bourbon to the butter sauce for depth.
      ❓ 10 FAQs
      1. Can I use another pasta besides linguine?
      Yes! Fettuccine, spaghetti, or even penne work well.
      2. What makes it “Cowboy” style?
      The butter sauce is bold, garlicky, herby, tangy, and spicy — like a steakhouse sauce turned pasta hero.
      3. Is it spicy?
      It has a kick, but you can reduce or skip the cayenne and chili flakes if you’re heat-sensitive.
      4. Can I make it dairy-free?
      Use vegan butter and skip the cream/cheese. It’ll still be flavorful from the herbs and garlic.
      5. Can I grill the chicken instead?
      Absolutely. Grilled chicken adds smoky flavor and char that pairs beautifully with cowboy butter.
      6. Is this good for meal prep?
      Yes — store the sauce and pasta separately for best texture when reheating.
      7. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
      Totally! Just shred and add in Step 4.
      8. Can I double the sauce?
      Yes — cowboy butter sauce is so good, you might want extra to drizzle over veggies or bread.
      9. What if I don’t have Dijon?
      You can use yellow mustard, though Dijon adds more depth and tang.
      10. Can I make this gluten-free?
      Use gluten-free pasta and double-check all your packaged ingredients (like mustard and cream).
      🏁 Conclusion
      Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is what happens when classic Italian comfort food rides into the wild flavor West. Buttery, garlicky, zesty, and slightly spicy, it’s a creamy dream with big bold flavor in every bite.
      Whether you’re cooking for the family, hosting friends, or just want something that tastes indulgent but takes under 30 minutes, this recipe is your new go-to. It's hearty. It's easy. And it’s downright delicious.