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Ultimate Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe: Creamy One-Pan Comfort Food

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines tender chicken strips with al dente pasta in a rich, spicy butter sauce featuring southwestern flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan wonder comes together in just 30 minutes with restaurant-quality results.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken strips 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 5-6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in cayenne pepper, oregano, and onion powder. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
  4. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir gently. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Don't skip the pasta water - the starchy pasta water creates a creamy, emulsified sauce that clings perfectly to the linguine. Customize heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper (1/4 tsp for mild, up to 1 tsp for spicy). Reheat leftovers gently on stovetop with splash of cream or broth.