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Cowboy Butter Chicken with Linguine

This dish features tender chicken cooked in a smoky, spicy cowboy butter sauce made with garlic, chipotle, and herbs, served over al dente linguine. The sauce becomes rich and flavorful, clinging to the pasta with a vibrant, slightly smoky appearance, creating a hearty and bold pasta dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz linguine uncooked
  • 4 pieces chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp cowboy butter or spicy herb butter
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder adjust for heat preference
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • to taste salt and pepper salt and pepper
  • 2 quarts water for boiling pasta

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Skillet or sauté pan
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring spoons
  • Knife

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add a generous pinch of salt, and cook the linguine until just al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry and season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium, add the minced garlic to the same skillet, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, with a slight sizzle and aroma of garlic filling the air.
  5. Stir in the cowboy butter and chipotle powder, allowing the butter to melt completely and mix well with the garlic. Let the mixture bubble gently for 2 minutes to develop flavor.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the spicy butter sauce to coat evenly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to absorb the sauce.
  7. Add the drained linguine to the skillet, tossing everything together so the pasta is coated with the smoky, spicy sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through and well combined.
  8. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or chipotle if desired. Serve the cowboy butter chicken and linguine hot, garnished with chopped herbs if you like.

Notes

You can customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of chipotle powder. For extra smokiness, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika. Serve with a side of fresh salad for a complete meal.