Description

This bold and creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is packed with rich flavors inspired by the classic cowboy butter sauce—garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, herbs, and a touch of spice. Combined with juicy seared chicken and tender linguine, this dish strikes a perfect balance between comfort food and exciting flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder

For the cowboy butter sauce:
4 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped chives
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the pasta:
12 oz linguine
Water for boiling
Salt for pasta water

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.

Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips.

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, parsley, and chives. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss to coat in the cowboy butter sauce. If needed, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Top the linguine with sliced chicken and serve warm.

Notes

For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream to the cowboy butter sauce before tossing with pasta. This recipe is adaptable—try adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach for more vegetables, or swap linguine with fettuccine or spaghetti based on preference.