Does butter chicken sauce work with pasta?

Yes, but it depends on the sauce style. Traditional butter chicken sauce (tomato-based with cream) works well with penne or linguine. In cowboy butter chicken linguine , the sauce skips the tomatoes and leans into butter, garlic, Dijon, and cream for a bold, savory pasta finish.

What goes into cowboy butter?

Cowboy butter is made with softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and sometimes a bit of broth. It’s bold, spicy, and zesty—perfect for grilled meats, seafood, or pasta dishes like cowboy butter chicken linguine .

What is the sauce in butter chicken made of?

Butter chicken sauce usually includes tomato puree, cream, butter, garlic, ginger, and warm Indian spices. It’s creamy, mildly spiced, and rich. The sauce in cowboy butter chicken linguine is a twist on that richness—no tomatoes, just buttery heat balanced by cream and Parmesan.

Can you make chicken linguine?

Absolutely. Chicken linguine is a versatile pasta dish where cooked chicken is combined with creamy, buttery, or tomato-based sauces. In this recipe, cowboy butter chicken linguine combines juicy seared chicken with a spiced butter sauce that coats every strand of pasta beautifully.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine – Creamy Dinner in 30 Min

Name: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; ½ tsp smoked paprika; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional); Salt and black pepper, to taste; 8 oz linguine; Salted water, for boiling; ¼ cup reserved pasta water; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 garlic cloves, minced; ¼ cup chicken broth; ¼ cup heavy cream; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Description

Cowboy butter chicken linguine is a bold, buttery pasta tossed in a spiced garlic-Dijon sauce with seared chicken and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Pasta:

8 oz linguine
Salted water, for boiling
¼ cup reserved pasta water

For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup chicken broth
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water and drain.

2. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Coat cubed chicken with the seasoning blend.

3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

4. Transfer chicken to plate and cover. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic for 30–60 seconds.

5. Add chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Simmer 2 minutes.

6. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer gently until sauce thickens slightly.

7. Return chicken and juices to skillet. Add linguine and toss with tongs. Use pasta water to adjust consistency.

8. Turn off heat and stir in chopped parsley. Garnish with more parsley, pepper, and lemon if desired.

Notes

You can adjust the spice by omitting cayenne or red pepper flakes. Make cowboy butter ahead and store in the fridge for faster prep.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American