Description
Bold, buttery, and packed with savory Southwestern flavors, this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender cubes of seasoned chicken with a rich, creamy butter sauce spiked with garlic, Dijon, and a hint of cayenne. Tossed with al dente linguine and brightened by fresh parsley and lemon juice, it’s a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” cubes
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the linguine.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Season and cook the chicken.
In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), and salt & pepper.
Heat olive oil over medium-high in a large skillet. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
3️⃣ Build the Butter Sauce.
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Stir in Dijon mustard, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and simmer gently, stirring, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2–3 minutes.
4️⃣ Combine pasta and chicken.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained linguine and toss to coat in the butter sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach desired consistency.
5️⃣ Finish with cheese & herbs.
Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and lemon juice. Toss once more to combine and let the flavors meld for 1 minute.
6️⃣ Garnish & serve.
Divide among plates and garnish with extra parsley, Parmesan shavings, and an additional crack of black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Spice level: Omit cayenne and red pepper flakes for a milder dish, or double them for extra kick.
- Protein swaps: Substitute shrimp or turkey breast cubes for the chicken. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Veggie boost: Toss in a handful of baby spinach or fire-roasted corn after adding the pasta for color and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4