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Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: Creamy, Spicy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy butter sauce with just the right amount of spice. It's the perfect comfort food that comes together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze for busy families.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz linguine pasta
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Add the cooked linguine and chicken back to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water to thin the sauce.
  5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and sauce has thickened slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Don't overcook the pasta - cook it al dente since it will continue to absorb sauce when combined. Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for preferred spice level. Dish reheats well and can be stored for up to 3 days.