Name: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – Creamy Chicken Pasta Easy Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound linguine; 1.5 pounds chicken breast, cubed; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; Juice and zest of 1 lemon; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme; 1 tablespoon chopped chives; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 cup grated parmesan (optional)

Jump to Recipe

I first stumbled on cowboy butter during a summer cookout. Someone had slathered it on grilled corn, and I couldn’t stop dipping everything in it. It’s garlicky, herby, a little spicy, and wildly addictive. Naturally, I started thinking—what if we took that flavor and poured it over pasta? And not just any pasta—linguine tossed with juicy chicken and coated in the kind of buttery sauce that makes you forget all about calories. This recipe hits the sweet spot between comfort food and weeknight convenience. It brings together pantry-friendly ingredients and a buttery sauce so good, you’ll want to eat it straight from the pan. We’re talking tender chicken bites cooked to golden, silky strands of pasta, and a finish that’s bold with fresh herbs and lemon. It’s the kind of dish that feels like you spent hours—but comes together in under 30 minutes. If you’re someone who hoards recipes for creamy, rich dinners that still feel like a win on a Tuesday, this one’s a keeper. Bring a fork—and maybe don’t plan on leftovers.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
4) How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
5) Tips for Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
6) Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
8) Try these Dinners next!
9) Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This creamy chicken pasta easy recipe brings cowboy butter flavor to a weeknight dinner
Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients you likely have already
Great for batch cooking and easy to reheat without drying out
Includes chicken, garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs for flavor that’s bold but balanced

2) Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

This creamy chicken pasta easy recipe came out of one of those “let’s use what we’ve got” nights. I had some linguine, leftover grilled chicken, and a half-stick of butter whispering my name. I tossed them together with garlic, herbs, and lemon juice. That was it. The result? My family asked if I’d ordered takeout.

Cowboy butter was the secret sauce. It’s that spicy, herby melted butter you might slap on steak or shrimp. Turns out, it makes pasta unforgettable. This easy dinner is now on repeat in our house. It doesn’t need a side, but we usually pair it with a quick green salad or some roasted broccoli if we’re feeling virtuous.

What I love about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms if you’re feeling creative. Want it spicy? Crank up the red pepper flakes. This dinner’s all about making your tastebuds happy, fast.

3) Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

1 pound linguine
Firm, slightly chewy pasta holds the sauce well. You can sub spaghetti or fettuccine if needed.

1.5 pounds chicken breast, cubed
I usually go for boneless skinless chicken breasts, but thighs work great too.

Salt and pepper, to taste
These are the basics—don’t be shy. Season that chicken well so every bite sings.

2 tablespoons olive oil
Gets the chicken nicely browned without burning the pan.

1/2 cup unsalted butter
This is cowboy butter, after all. Melt it low and slow for full flavor.

5 cloves garlic, minced
No shortcuts here. Garlic makes the kitchen smell incredible and flavors the butter like magic.

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Brings the heat. Adjust to your taste—or skip it if your guests prefer things mild.

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
This adds a bit of tang and complexity. It melts into the sauce and surprises you in the best way.

Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Brightens everything and cuts the richness. Don’t skip the zest—it’s where all the lemon oil lives.

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Gives color and a fresh flavor burst. Toss some on top for garnish too.

1 tablespoon fresh thyme
If you’ve got it, use it. It adds a subtle, earthy note that’s hard to beat.

1 tablespoon chopped chives
For a light onion flavor. Optional but totally worth it.

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Gives the butter that smoky edge. Adds color too.

1/2 cup grated parmesan (optional)
Sprinkle on at the end. I don’t always use it, but it does take things over the top.

4) How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Step 1. Cook the linguine in salted water until just al dente. Reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining. Set it aside—you might need it to loosen the sauce later.

Step 2. Season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pan and sear the chicken on medium-high heat until it’s golden and cooked through. This usually takes about 6 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

Step 3. In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika. Stir until fragrant, about a minute.

Step 4. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest. Stir in the chopped parsley, thyme, and chives. Let it bubble gently for a few minutes until it smells like heaven.

Step 5. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the drained linguine and toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in a bit of that pasta water you saved.

Step 6. Sprinkle with parmesan if using. Serve hot with extra parsley or lemon zest on top if you’re feeling fancy.

5) Tips for Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Go big on the garlic. Don’t be tempted to skimp—it’s what gives the cowboy butter its kick. I use five cloves minimum. If you’re a garlic lover, go wild.

Use fresh herbs if you can. Dried will work in a pinch, but the freshness adds a real spark. Chopped parsley and thyme especially change the game.

Don’t forget to salt your pasta water. I say this all the time, but unseasoned pasta is bland pasta. Two tablespoons of kosher salt per pot is my rule of thumb.

6) Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Ahead of Time

This creamy chicken pasta easy recipe is a great make-ahead dish. You can cook the pasta and the chicken a day early and store them in airtight containers. When it’s go-time, just reheat the butter sauce and toss everything together. That said, make the sauce fresh—it only takes five minutes and tastes better that way.

If you’re bringing this to a potluck or picnic, save the final toss for the last minute. The sauce thickens as it sits, so you might need a splash of warm water or broth to bring it back to life.

I wouldn’t freeze this one. Butter sauces tend to separate, and pasta can get mushy. Stick to the fridge and keep it within three days for best results.

7) Storing Leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to three days. The sauce may thicken a little, but a splash of water or broth will fix that fast when you reheat it.

I like reheating mine on the stove over low heat. Microwaving works too, but stir halfway through to keep the chicken from drying out.

This creamy chicken pasta easy recipe still hits the spot on day two—maybe even better. The flavors settle in, and the herbs get cozy with the chicken. Honestly, it might not even last long enough for leftovers.

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9) Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine