Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine (Buttery Garlic Chicken Pasta with a Kick)
Molly
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is bold, buttery, and packed with flavor. Juicy seared chicken and tender linguine are coated in a garlicky herb sauce with a spicy kick—perfect for cozy dinners, quick weeknight meals, or easy entertaining. Easily customizable with gluten-free or dairy-free options.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American Comfort Food
Servings 4 servings
Calories 520 kcal
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast – Cut into strips or bite-size pieces
- Salt and black pepper – For seasoning
- Olive oil – For searing
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter – The base of our sauce
- 4 cloves garlic minced – Bold, aromatic, and essential
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard – Adds tangy richness
- Juice of 1 lemon – For brightness
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes – Adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley – For freshness
- ½ teaspoon paprika – Smoky and warm
- ½ teaspoon salt – Enhances all the flavors
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz linguine – Cooked al dente and drained
Optional Add-Ins:
- Grated Parmesan – For serving
- Fresh basil or thyme – For extra herby notes
- Spinach or sautéed mushrooms – To sneak in extra veggies
Boil the Pasta: Cook linguine in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Make the Cowboy Butter: In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, paprika, salt, and parsley. Stir well.
Combine: Return chicken to the pan, then toss in the cooked linguine. Stir to coat everything evenly with the cowboy butter sauce.
Serve: Plate up and sprinkle with extra parsley or Parmesan if desired.
Secret Tips for the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
1. Marinate your chicken for maximum flavor: For the most flavorful cowboy butter chicken linguine, let your chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes in a blend of lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic, and melted butter. This enhances the depth of the buttery garlic chicken and gives every bite a kick of zesty spice that pairs beautifully with the pasta.
2. Use high-quality butter and fresh garlic: The heart of this recipe is the cowboy butter sauce, so don’t cut corners—use real unsalted butter and freshly minced garlic for the richest, most aromatic result. That garlicky, buttery coating is what gives this dish its crave-worthy edge.
3. Don’t overcook the pasta: For a perfect buttery garlic chicken pasta, cook your linguine just until al dente. It will continue to cook slightly when tossed in the hot cowboy butter sauce. This ensures it holds texture and doesn’t turn mushy.
4. Reserve pasta water for the sauce: Before draining your linguine, save at least ½ cup of pasta water. This starchy liquid helps loosen the cowboy butter sauce and allows it to cling luxuriously to the chicken and noodles.
5. Spice level is customizable: Want a spicier kick? Add a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes to your cowboy butter base. If you’re feeding a crowd or kids, scale it back to keep it cozy but flavorful—this buttery garlic chicken pasta with a kick should still feel comforting, not overwhelming.
6. Finish with lemon and herbs for balance: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley or chives right before serving gives your dish brightness and a restaurant-quality finish. It cuts the richness of the cowboy butter and keeps your chicken linguine pasta dinner balanced and light.
7. Make it a one-pan meal: Cook your chicken in the same skillet you'll use to toss the pasta in cowboy butter. This not only saves on cleanup but allows all those savory pan drippings to flavor your sauce. It’s the kind of easy chicken pasta dinner that delivers bold taste with minimal fuss.Keyword buttery herb chicken linguine, cowboy butter chicken linguine,, creamy cowboy chicken pasta, dairy-free cowboy butter sauce, easy weeknight chicken pasta, garlic butter chicken pasta, gluten-free garlic linguine, high-protein pasta dinner, low carb cowboy pasta option, spicy chicken linguine dinner
