Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Here’s a rich, flavorful, and slightly spicy recipe for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine — a fusion dish inspired by the bold, buttery flavors of cowboy butter sauce and tender pasta with chicken. It’s creamy, garlicky, and packed with herbs and heat!

🍝🔥 Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Ingredients:

For the cowboy butter sauce:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference)

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh chives or green onion, chopped

• Salt & pepper to taste

For the pasta:

• 8 oz linguine (or pasta of choice)

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into strips

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder

• Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.

2. Cook the chicken
   Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
   In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté chicken until golden and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Make the cowboy butter sauce
   In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
   Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.

4. Combine
   Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Toss everything together until well coated and heated through.

5. Serve
   Garnish with extra herbs, lemon zest, or Parmesan if desired.

📝 Tips:

• Want it creamier? Add 1/4 cup heavy cream or cream cheese to the sauce.

• Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.

• Make it spicy: up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.

Want a low-carb or gluten-free version? Let me know and I’ll adapt it!