Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine with Herb-Garlic Compound Butter for Busy Weeknight Dinners

The ultimate weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and al dente linguine tossed in rich cowboy butter sauce loaded with fresh herbs, garlic, and bold seasonings. This quick and satisfying pasta masterpiece combines the smoky flavors of cowboy butter with perfectly cooked chicken and pasta, creating an unforgettable meal that elevates simple ingredients to extraordinary heights perfect for busy evenings, family dinners, or any time you crave the perfect balance of hearty, flavorful, and comforting satisfaction.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine with Herb-Garlic Compound Butter for Busy Weeknight Dinners - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Weeknight Cooking Mastery Secrets for Perfect Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Chicken Searing Mastery:
Master the technique of achieving golden, juicy chicken with proper heat control and timing.
Cowboy Butter Creation Excellence:
Learn the skill of blending herbs and seasonings into flavorful compound butter mixture.
Pasta Cooking Perfection:
Perfect the method of cooking pasta to ideal al dente texture for sauce absorption.
Sauce Emulsion Technique:
Master the art of creating smooth, silky sauce using pasta water and butter techniques.
Quick Assembly Strategy:
Learn optimal timing and coordination for efficient weeknight dinner preparation.
Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine with Herb-Garlic Compound Butter for Busy Weeknight Dinners - secondary view

The Art of Ultimate Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Perfection

Perfect Chicken Searing Mastery
Master the technique of achieving golden, juicy chicken with proper heat control and timing.
Cowboy Butter Creation Excellence
Learn the skill of blending herbs and seasonings into flavorful compound butter mixture.
Pasta Cooking Perfection
Perfect the method of cooking pasta to ideal al dente texture for sauce absorption.
Sauce Emulsion Technique
Master the art of creating smooth, silky sauce using pasta water and butter techniques.
Quick Assembly Strategy
Learn optimal timing and coordination for efficient weeknight dinner preparation.
Weeknight Cooking Mastery Secrets for Perfect Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Chicken Technique: Don't overcrowd pan when cooking chicken for proper searing and golden color.
Butter Temperature: Use room temperature butter for easy mixing and smooth cowboy butter blend.
Pasta Water Magic: Save starchy pasta water to create silky sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
Timing Coordination: Start pasta when chicken is almost done for perfectly timed meal.
Fresh Herb Impact: Use fresh herbs when possible for brightest flavor and color.
Sauce Consistency: Add pasta water gradually to achieve ideal creamy coating without being watery.
Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine with Herb-Garlic Compound Butter for Busy Weeknight Dinners - tertiary view

Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine with Herb-Garlic Compound Butter for Busy Weeknight Dinners

The ultimate weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and al dente linguine tossed in rich cowboy butter sauce loaded with fresh herbs, garlic, and bold seasonings. This quick and satisfying pasta masterpiece combines the smoky flavors of cowboy butter with perfectly cooked chicken and pasta, creating an unforgettable meal that elevates simple ingredients to extraordinary heights perfect for busy evenings, family dinners, or any time you crave the perfect balance of hearty, flavorful, and comforting satisfaction.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Chicken:
02
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
03
2 tablespoons olive oil
04
1 teaspoon salt
05
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
06
1 teaspoon garlic powder
07
For the Cowboy Butter Base:
08
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09
4 cloves garlic, minced
10
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
11
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
12
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
13
For the Pasta Foundation:
14
12 oz linguine pasta
15
2 tablespoons salt for pasta water
16
1 tablespoon olive oil
17
For the Flavor Enhancers:
18
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
19
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
20
1 teaspoon onion powder
21
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
22
For the Sauce Components:
23
1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
24
1/4 cup heavy cream
25
2 tablespoons lemon juice
26
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
27
For the Fresh Elements:
28
1/4 cup fresh parsley for garnish
29
2 tablespoons fresh chives for garnish
30
Lemon wedges for serving
31
For the Cheese Option:
32
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
33
For the Spice Blend:
34
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
35
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
36
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
37
For the Finishing Touches:
38
Coarse sea salt
39
Freshly cracked black pepper
40
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
41
For the Quick Prep:
42
Pre-minced garlic (optional)
43
Pre-chopped herbs (optional)
44
For Special Equipment:
45
Large skillet or sauté pan
46
Large pot for pasta
47
Tongs
48
Colander

Instructions

01
Bring large pot of salted water to boil for cooking linguine pasta.
02
Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
03
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
04
Add seasoned chicken and cook 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown.
05
Remove chicken from skillet and let rest, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
06
Add linguine to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente.
07
Meanwhile, prepare cowboy butter by mixing softened butter with minced garlic.
08
Add fresh parsley, chives, dill, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes to butter.
09
Mix in onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper to complete cowboy butter.
10
In same skillet used for chicken, add white wine and scrape up browned bits.
11
Add cowboy butter mixture to skillet and let melt over medium heat.
12
Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
13
Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water before draining linguine.
14
Add drained pasta directly to skillet with cowboy butter sauce.
15
Toss pasta with sauce, adding pasta water as needed for silky consistency.
16
Return sliced chicken to skillet and toss to coat with sauce.
17
Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.
18
Remove from heat and add half the Parmesan cheese, tossing to combine.
19
Divide pasta among serving bowls and top with remaining chicken pieces.
20
Garnish generously with fresh parsley, chives, and remaining Parmesan.
21
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra black pepper.
22
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil for added richness.
23
Accompany with garlic bread or simple green salad for complete meal.
24
Pass additional Parmesan cheese at table for extra indulgence.
25
Enjoy while hot for best flavor and texture experience.