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Creamy cowboy butter chicken linguine served in a white bowl topped with herbs for a quick dinner 2

Irresistibly Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – A Quick Weeknight Dinner


  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine combines juicy chicken, garlic-infused cowboy butter, bright lemon, and fresh herbs with silky linguine for a dish that feels indulgent yet light. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan wonder blends buttery richness with zesty brightness, making it perfect for busy weeknights or summer dinners. With simple pantry staples and minimal cleanup, it’s a reliable quick dinner idea that everyone will love.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
  • 12 oz linguine pasta
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 45 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

  • Instructions

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.

    2. Heat 1 tbsp butter and a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

    3. Reduce heat to medium and melt remaining butter in the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.

    4. Whisk in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Cook 1 minute until sauce thickens.

    5. Return chicken to the skillet and add drained linguine. Toss over medium-low heat for 1–2 minutes, adding more pasta water if needed to coat.

    6. Turn off heat and stir in parsley. Season to taste and top with Parmesan if desired.

    7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley or lemon wedges.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: main course
    • Method: stovetop
    • Cuisine: american

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving

    Keywords: easy cowboy butter chicken linguine, cowboy chicken pasta, cowboy butter chicken pasta, quick simple easy dinner ideas, summer dinner recipes for hot days, weeknight dinner, butter chicken linguine, pasta recipe