I was immediately drawn to how tender chicken breasts combine with linguine pasta in this Butter Chicken recipe. The blend of garlic, red bell pepper and smoked paprika mingles beautifully with unsalted butter, Parmesan cheese and a hint of olive oil, resulting in a rich, unforgettable dish that invites you to read even further.

I recently whipped up my Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta and immediately fell in love with it. I started off by searing 1 lb of boneless chicken breasts cut into small pieces with 2 tbsp olive oil, diced onion, and minced garlic.
Next, I added chopped red bell pepper along with a mix of smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin that really brought out a bold, cowboy twist in the dish. Once the chicken was nicely browned, I stirred in 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of chicken broth, and 3 tbsp unsalted butter.
I let it all simmer while mixing in a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese. Finally, I tossed in 8 oz of perfectly al dente linguine.
This dish has a fun, adventurous vibe reminiscent of classic chicken pasta and butter chicken recipes, and it never fails to impress at dinner time.
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I really love how the creamy sauce mixes with all the spices; it just hits the right spot every time, making it super comforting and flavorful.
2. The way the chicken gets all that buttery, savory goodness from the garlic, onions, and peppers is amazing, and it makes every bite feel like home-cooked comfort food.
3. I dig that the linguine soaks up all the creaminess and spices, making the dish feel hearty and satisfying, especially after a long day.
4. I appreciate how the hints of cumin, paprika, and chili powder come together – it’s like the flavors have a mind of their own and they just work, despite being a bit of a wild mix.
Ingredients

- Lean protein source that fills your dish with hearty flavor and essential nutrients.
- Light carbohydrate treat that gives u energy and serves as perfect base for creamy sauce.
- Healthy fat that boosts flavor with a smooth, mild taste all throughout.
- Creamy butter adds rich, luxorious taste while keeping the balance without extra salt.
- Vibrant, crisp vegetable loaded with vitamins that complete the dish with a sweet crunch.
- Aromatic garlic lend a spicy kick and boost overall health benifits naturally.
- Salty, tangy cheese that brings a savory finish and melts into smoothness delightfully.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make this
1. Begin by cooking the linguine pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until it’s al dente, then drain and set it aside.
2. Season your chicken pieces with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until they’re golden and fully cooked, then remove the chicken and put it aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt the butter and toss in the minced garlic, diced onion, and chopped red bell pepper. Sauté until the onion gets soft and the bell pepper starts to break down.
5. Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, chili powder, and ground cumin, stirring for about a minute so all the flavors can mix well.
6. Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to slightly thicken.
7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a thick and creamy texture.
8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and allow it to simmer with the sauce for a couple of minutes so it picks up all the yummy flavors.
9. Add the drained linguine to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
10. Finally, sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley over the dish, adjust the salt and pepper to taste, and serve up your cowboy butter chicken pasta while it’s hot!
Equipment Needed
1. A large pot for boiling the pasta
2. A colander for draining the linguine
3. A large skillet for cooking the chicken and making the sauce
4. A cutting board for chopping the vegetables and meat
5. A chef’s knife to dice, mince, and chop all your ingredients
6. Measuring spoons and cups for getting the spices and liquids right
7. A wooden spatula or spoon for stirring everything together
8. A grater for the Parmesan cheese
FAQ
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Dish Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have boneless chicken breasts, try using turkey or even tofu if you’re in a veggie mood.
- If linguine pasta isn’t around, spaghetti or penne works just as fine.
- Out of heavy cream? Half and half or coconut cream can do the trick.
- No chicken broth? Vegetable broth is a solid stand-in for that rich flavor.
- If you’re low on Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano or a sharp cheddar can be a neat substitute.
Pro Tips
1. When you’re cooking the chicken, try not to overcrowd the pan so you get a good sear on each piece. This helps lock in the juices and leaves u with a tasty, non-dry chicken.
2. Keep an eye on the garlic and onions when they’re sautéing. They can burn really fast if you’re not careful, which makes the dish bitter instead of giving you that rich flavor.
3. Let the cream and broth simmer for a few minutes after adding the spices. This extra time lets the sauce thicken up nicely and blend all those flavors, making the pasta really pop.
4. Before tossing the pasta in, give the sauce a quick taste. Sometimes it might need a bit more salt or pepper, so you can adjust the seasonings to your liking before everything gets mixed up.
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Dish Recipe
My favorite Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Dish Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. A large pot for boiling the pasta
2. A colander for draining the linguine
3. A large skillet for cooking the chicken and making the sauce
4. A cutting board for chopping the vegetables and meat
5. A chef’s knife to dice, mince, and chop all your ingredients
6. Measuring spoons and cups for getting the spices and liquids right
7. A wooden spatula or spoon for stirring everything together
8. A grater for the Parmesan cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
1. Begin by cooking the linguine pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until it’s al dente, then drain and set it aside.
2. Season your chicken pieces with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until they’re golden and fully cooked, then remove the chicken and put it aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt the butter and toss in the minced garlic, diced onion, and chopped red bell pepper. Sauté until the onion gets soft and the bell pepper starts to break down.
5. Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, chili powder, and ground cumin, stirring for about a minute so all the flavors can mix well.
6. Pour the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to slightly thicken.
7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a thick and creamy texture.
8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and allow it to simmer with the sauce for a couple of minutes so it picks up all the yummy flavors.
9. Add the drained linguine to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
10. Finally, sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley over the dish, adjust the salt and pepper to taste, and serve up your cowboy butter chicken pasta while it’s hot!



















