This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is your new go-to for easy recipes for dinner. Rich, buttery, and loaded with bold flavors, it combines tender chicken with a creamy cowboy butter sauce over linguine. It’s perfect for busy nights when you still want something comforting and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for quick and easy recipes, easy chicken recipes, or easy meal prep recipes, this dish checks all the boxes. Serve it up as a weeknight comfort food or for guests—you’ll love how simple and flavor-packed it is!

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 Chicken Recipes next!
9) Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

A bold and flavorful chicken linguine dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Uses cowboy butter packed with garlic, Dijon, and spices for a rich taste.
Ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for quick and easy recipes.
Perfect for easy recipes for dinner and meal prepping.
Simple pantry staples make this comfort food favorite accessible anytime.

2) Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe

One of my all-time favorite easy recipes for dinner is Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. This savory and comforting dish comes together quickly and packs a punch of bold flavor in every bite. Whether you’re after quick and easy recipes or just need to whip up something delicious with minimal fuss, this pasta recipe delivers every time. It starts with tender chicken breast strips sautéed in olive oil, then simmered in a luxurious cowboy butter sauce—a flavorful blend of garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, and a hint of red pepper flakes. The cooked linguine absorbs all the richness from the sauce, resulting in a creamy, spicy, buttery masterpiece. This easy chicken recipe is a hit not just for its flavor but also for its simplicity. It’s part of my top list of easy meal prep recipes since it reheats beautifully. Plus, it’s hearty enough to satisfy the whole family and elegant enough to impress guests.

3) Ingredients for Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Linguine Pasta: This flat, ribbon-like pasta is perfect for catching all that rich cowboy butter sauce. Cook until just al dente so it holds its texture after mixing with the sauce.

Olive Oil: Used to cook the chicken and help form the flavorful base of the sauce. Choose extra virgin olive oil for the best depth of flavor and quality.

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless, and cut into strips for quick and even cooking. They soak up the butter sauce wonderfully and provide a juicy, tender bite.

Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for bringing out the best in your chicken. Don’t skip the seasoning—it sets the stage for everything else in this dish!

Butter: This is the heart of cowboy butter. It melts into the skillet, creating a rich and silky base for all the other ingredients.

Garlic: Minced fresh garlic gives the sauce its signature bold flavor. It’s aromatic and deeply savory—absolutely key to this dish.

Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy bite to the butter sauce and balances the richness of the butter and oil with some sharpness.

Red Pepper Flakes: Just a touch gives the sauce a gentle kick. You can adjust the amount based on your preferred spice level.

Paprika: Adds color and a mild smokiness that enhances the cowboy butter flavor. Sweet or smoked paprika both work well here.

Lemon Juice: Brightens the whole dish and cuts through the richness of the butter, bringing balance to every forkful.

Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley adds color and freshness to the final dish, making it feel vibrant and gourmet.

Parmesan Cheese: A generous sprinkle on top gives a salty, umami boost and ties everything together beautifully.

4) How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Step 1: Cook your linguine pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside while you make the sauce and chicken.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season your chicken breast strips with salt and pepper, then add to the pan. Sauté until golden and fully cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add the butter and let it melt completely. Once bubbling, stir in the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Let it all simmer for 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the butter sauce. The sauce will cling to the chicken, making every bite flavorful and juicy.

Step 5: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated and everything is evenly combined. Add lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Step 6: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

5) Tips for Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

For the best version of this easy chicken recipe, always cook your pasta until just al dente. Overcooked noodles can become mushy once tossed with sauce. Be generous with the garlic, and use fresh if possible—it adds unmatched depth. If you want more kick, add a pinch more red pepper flakes or even a dash of cayenne. Want it even creamier? Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese right at the end. You can also swap the linguine for another pasta shape like fettuccine or even rotini if you prefer more texture. Make sure your chicken is thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness. Cowboy butter is the star of the dish, so be sure to let it simmer just enough to marry all the flavors before adding the pasta. For an added twist, top with crispy bacon or sautéed mushrooms for more texture and flavor.

6) Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Ahead of Time

This meal is not only one of my favorite comfort food recipes easy to make, but it’s also ideal for meal prep. Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine holds up well in the fridge and reheats beautifully, making it one of the best easy meal prep recipes. If you’re planning to prepare it ahead, slightly undercook the pasta so it doesn’t get too soft when reheated. Store the pasta and sauce separately if possible, and add a splash of water or chicken broth when reheating to revive the creamy texture. You can even cook the chicken and make the cowboy butter sauce a day or two in advance, then assemble everything when you’re ready to eat. This recipe is incredibly flexible and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

7) Storing Leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Leftovers are a dream with this easy pasta recipe. Store any remaining Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, add a tablespoon of water, chicken broth, or a pat of butter to loosen the sauce and warm gently on the stove or in the microwave. It reheats especially well because the butter sauce stays creamy and delicious. If you’d like to freeze it, let it cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. While the texture may slightly change, the flavor holds up remarkably well. Great for quick lunches or next-day dinners.

8) Try these Chicken Recipes next!

9) Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe