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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: Creamy Garlic Butter Dinner Recipe

This cowboy butter chicken linguine is a comforting meal that comes together quickly with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich cowboy butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this restaurant-quality dish combines garlic, herbs, and spices for incredible flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb linguine pasta
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining butter to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, and oregano.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained linguine. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency. Toss everything together until well combined.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

Use high-quality butter and fresh garlic for best results. Adjust cayenne pepper to taste - reduce to 1/4 tsp for milder dish. Works well with different pasta shapes like fettuccine or penne. Leftovers store up to 3 days and reheat well with added broth or cream.