Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta (Restaurant-Worthy at Home!)
Looking to impress your tastebuds with something buttery, garlicky, creamy, and bold? Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is the ultimate weeknight comfort meal that blends spicy cowboy butter and juicy chicken bites with silky linguine in a rich, velvety sauce. This flavor-packed fusion dish is quick, satisfying, and perfect for both casual dinners and indulgent gatherings.
Don’t miss our Dinner Recipe: Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken — it pairs beautifully with this pasta meal for variety on the table.
What Is Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine?
What Makes Cowboy Butter So Unique?
Cowboy butter is a zesty, spicy compound butter made with garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, herbs, and salt. It’s traditionally used for grilled meats, but here, it adds a rich, bold foundation for our pasta sauce.
Origins of Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
This dish is a modern comfort food twist, combining pasta-night indulgence with cowboy-style flair. By marrying cowboy butter with cream and linguine, you get an exciting cross between steakhouse vibes and cozy chicken pasta.
Why Linguine Works Perfectly in This Dish
Linguine holds onto sauces beautifully. Its flat shape allows the buttery garlic sauce to cling to every strand, making each bite flavorful and smooth.
Key Ingredients and Flavor Profile
Essential Ingredients You Need
- Linguine – For its texture and sauce-holding capability
- Boneless skinless chicken breast – Bite-sized for faster cooking
- Cowboy butter – Divided to layer flavors
- Heavy cream – Adds the creamy, luscious finish
- Spices – Garlic salt, paprika, crushed red pepper
- Lemon juice – A bright tang to balance the richness
The Bold Flavor Breakdown
- Creamy & Rich: From heavy cream and butter
- Zesty & Spicy: Thanks to garlic salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes
- Herby & Savory: Finished with parsley and lemon juice
Can You Make It Spicy or Mild?
Yes — dial up the crushed red pepper for extra heat or tone it down for a milder version. Cowboy butter is super customizable!
Step-by-Step Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Cooking Instructions
How to Prep and Cook the Chicken Perfectly
- Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces
- Sauté with olive oil, paprika, garlic salt, salt, and pepper
- Cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and 165°F internal temp
Check out this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta for another spicy chicken dinner idea!
Creating the Cowboy Butter Sauce Base
- Remove chicken and reduce heat
- Add remaining cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper
- Scrape up pan bits — this adds tons of flavor
Combining Chicken, Sauce, and Pasta Like a Pro
- Toss cooked linguine into the sauce
- Stir in the chicken
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice and garnish with parsley and lemon slices
Cooking Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
How to Avoid Overcooked Chicken
- Don’t crowd the pan.
- Use a thermometer for 165°F internal temp
- Cook in batches if needed
Preventing Sticky or Mushy Linguine
- Salt the pasta water generously
- Stir the pasta early to prevent clumping
- Drain and toss with a bit of oil if not using right away
Making Sure Your Sauce Doesn’t Break
- Lower the heat before adding cream
- Stir constantly
- Avoid boiling after adding dairy
Discover great ideas like these Whole30 Crispy Chicken Wings if you’re avoiding dairy or gluten.
Storing tips
To maintain freshness and flavor:
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze (without fresh herbs) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth to restore creaminess. Avoid microwaving, as it can dry out the pasta.
Substitutions and Variations
Can I Use a Different Pasta Type?
Absolutely. You can swap linguine for:
| Pasta Type | Texture Benefit |
|---|---|
| Penne | Catches sauce inside the tubes |
| Fettuccine | Rich and wide, ideal for cream |
| Gluten-free pasta | Great for dietary needs |
Learn more about our Gluten-Free Chickpea Pasta Salad for allergy-friendly alternatives.
Protein Swaps
- Shrimp (light and quick-cooking)
- Tofu (for a vegetarian version)
- Steak (to elevate it even more)
Lighter and Dairy-Free Versions
- Sub in coconut cream for dairy-free
- Use olive oil and lemon zest instead of butter
Make-Ahead, Meal Prep & Leftovers
Can You Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in Advance?
Yes! Prepare the full dish and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Best Practices for Reheating
- Warm over low heat on stovetop
- Add a splash of cream or broth to revive the sauce
How to Store Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine the Right Way
Use airtight containers and refrigerate immediately after cooling. This keeps it fresh and flavorful.
Discover great meal prep ideas like our Chicken and Apple Kale Wraps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes into cowboy butter?
Cowboy butter is a flavorful, herbed compound butter that typically includes:
Butter (unsalted, softened)
Garlic (minced or paste)
Lemon juice & zest (for brightness)
Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, thyme, or rosemary)
Spices (paprika, cayenne, black pepper, mustard powder)
Worcestershire sauce (for depth)
Dijon mustard (for tang)
Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
It’s perfect for basting meats, tossing with pasta, or enhancing sauces.
Can you use butter chicken sauce for pasta?
Yes! Butter chicken sauce works wonderfully with pasta. Its creamy, spiced tomato base pairs well with linguine, fettuccine, or penne. For Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, you can:
Use store-bought or homemade butter chicken sauce.
Enhance it with cowboy butter for extra richness and herb flavor.
Toss with grilled or shredded chicken and pasta for a fusion dish.
What are some common mistakes when making butter chicken?
Avoid these pitfalls for the best results:
Overcooking the chicken → Leads to dryness. Use tender, juicy chicken (grilled or sous vide works best).
Skipping the marinade → Yogurt and spices tenderize the chicken; don’t skip this step.
Using raw spices → Bloom spices in oil/butter to enhance flavor.
Over-reducing the sauce → Keep it creamy, not too thick.
Not balancing flavors → Adjust sweetness (honey/sugar), acidity (lemon), and heat (cayenne) as needed.
How is Cowboy Chicken’s chicken cooked?
Cowboy Chicken (a Texas-based chain) is known for its wood-fired rotisserie chicken, which is:
Marinated in a signature spice blend.
Slow-roasted over hardwood for smoky flavor.
Juicy & tender due to even cooking.
For Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine, you can mimic this by:
Grilling or roasting chicken with smoky spices (paprika, cumin, garlic).
Shredding or dicing it before mixing with the pasta and cowboy butter sauce.
Can I use a different type of pasta for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine?
Absolutely! While linguine works well for its ability to hold creamy sauces, other great options include:
Fettuccine (similar thickness, great for creamy sauces)
Penne or Rigatoni (holds chunks of chicken and sauce in tubes)
Fusilli or Rotini (spirals trap the sauce beautifully)
Spaghetti (thinner but still works in a pinch)
Tip: Adjust cook time based on pasta shape and thickness.
Can I make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine ahead of time?
Yes, with a few tricks:
Prep Components Separately: Cook pasta al dente, store sauce and chicken separately, and combine when ready to serve.
Sauce Storage: Cowboy butter sauce keeps well refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 1 month.
Final Assembly: Reheat sauce + chicken, toss with freshly cooked pasta, and garnish with fresh herbs.
Avoid storing fully assembled pasta—it can become mushy.
What can I serve with Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine?
Pair this rich dish with lighter or contrasting sides:
Crusty Italian Bread: For soaking up extra sauce.
Simple Salad: Arugula, cucumber, and lemon vinaigrette.
Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, bell peppers, or zucchini.
Honey Butter Skillet Corn: Adds sweetness and smokiness.
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
- Total Time: 30minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is a bold, creamy, flavor-packed pasta dish made with tender chicken bites seared in zesty cowboy butter and tossed with linguine in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. Finished with fresh lemon juice and herbs, it’s the perfect blend of spice, cream, and comfort — ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- 8 ounces linguine
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) cowboy butter, divided
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken:Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer. Sprinkle with paprika, garlic salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Add Cowboy Butter to Chicken:Add 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter to the skillet. Flip the chicken and cook until fully cooked (internal temp 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:Lower heat to low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons cowboy butter, heavy cream, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Scrape up browned bits for flavor and stir until smooth.
- Combine Pasta & Chicken:Return cooked linguine and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Finish & Serve:Stir in lemon juice. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve hot.
Notes
- Don’t crowd the pan.
- Use a thermometer for 165°F internal tem
- Cook in batches if needed
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20minutes
- Category: dinner
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per Serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Fat: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
Keywords: Cowboy butter, chicken linguine, creamy chicken pasta, garlic butter, pasta dinner, weeknight meals
