Butter Chicken Pasta

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

This Butter Chicken Pasta blends bold flavors into a buttery, creamy sauce with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Start by seasoning and cooking chicken, build a rich sauce with fresh herbs and garlic, then toss it with perfectly tender pasta. It’s comfort food that’s as easy to whip up as it is delicious.
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Updated on Sat, 26 Apr 2025 13:11:41 GMT
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Mastering cowboy butter chicken linguine comes down to blending tasty herb-butter sauce with just-right chicken and noodles. When these parts come together, you'll get something that feels both fancy and homey.

My tests showed that slowly melting butter with the herbs really packs in the flavor.

Key Components and Shopping Advice

  • Butter - Pick unsalted, good quality to manage saltiness
  • Herbs - Fresh parsley and thyme add brightness
  • Chicken - Choose same-sized breasts to cook evenly
  • Linguine - Rough-textured pasta grabs more sauce

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

1. Flavor Your Butter
Use butter at room temp so herbs can slowly release their goodness as it melts.
2. Cook Chicken Right
Dry the chicken and season it well. Brown it nicely for extra taste.
3. Create Your Sauce
Mix herbs and garlic into the melted butter, letting flavors come alive before adding any liquid.
4. Cook Pasta Properly
Keep it slightly firm - it'll finish cooking in the sauce.
5. Put It All Together
Mix pasta with sauce first, then add chicken so everything gets coated just right.
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Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe | chefmelt.com

Getting everything done at the right time means your meal will taste its best.

What makes this dish special is how basic it is - good stuff cooked the right way turns into something amazing.

Changing Things Up With The Seasons

In spring, try adding chives, tarragon and some asparagus. Summer's perfect for mixing in tiny tomatoes and fresh corn. When fall comes around, go for butter with sage and some roasted mushrooms. Winter works great with slow-cooked garlic and sweet browned onions. No matter the season, you'll always have that rich buttery base with new flavors mixed in.

Watching Heat and Timing

Keep an eye on your chicken to keep it juicy. Dry meat ruins the dish. Don't let your sauce bubble or it might break apart. Cook your pasta until it's just got a little bite since it'll cook more in the sauce. Try to finish everything at once for the right eating temp. Let everything sit together briefly so flavors can mix better.

What To Drink and Serve With It

Try a buttery Chardonnay or light Pinot Grigio with this dish. Good sides include some crusty garlic bread, roasted veggies, or a simple green salad with light dressing. You want something fresh that cuts through the richness without taking over the meal.

Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce Pin it
Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce | chefmelt.com

Prep Work You Can Do Early

You can cook and slice chicken ahead for neater cuts when it's cool. Chop herbs and garlic earlier in the day. Make pasta fresh and whip up sauce right before eating. Get everything measured and ready for quick cooking. This way you'll keep everything tasting great while making dinner time easier.

Putting It On The Plate

Put pasta in warm bowls, twirling it nicely with tongs. Lay sliced chicken on top looking pretty. Pour extra sauce over everything. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and Parmesan just before everyone digs in. It should look generous but fancy.

Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe Pin it
Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Burrata and Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe | chefmelt.com

Wrapping Up: This comforting meal takes basic ingredients and makes them special through careful cooking. The mix of herby butter sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta creates a dinner that's both down-to-earth and impressive.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap pasta shapes?
Totally! Long shapes like spaghetti or fettuccine pair great with the sauce.
→ Why is it called 'cowboy' butter?
It's about the bold flavors from herbs, garlic, and spices inspired by Western-style cooking.
→ Can I prep this ahead?
It’s best fresh, but you can prep ingredients earlier. Reheat on low to keep the sauce smooth.
→ How spicy is this dish?
Only a little heat from red pepper flakes, and you can adjust or leave them out.
→ Can I throw in veggies?
Sure! Try bell peppers, mushrooms, or asparagus. Add them to the pan with the garlic.

Butter Chicken Pasta

Juicy chicken with pasta in a herby, buttery sauce. A cozy and flavorful dish that's quick to make.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main

01 8 oz of linguine noodles
02 2 big chicken breasts without skin or bones

→ Cowboy Butter Sauce

03 4 finely chopped garlic cloves
04 ½ cup of unsalted butter
05 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 Minced parsley — 1 tablespoon
07 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
08 A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (if you like)
09 Salt and pepper — season to your taste
10 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
11 1 cup chicken stock
12 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Garnish

13 Parmesan cheese, grated freshly

Instructions

Step 01

Sprinkle spices over the chicken. Brown it in a pan with 2 tablespoons of butter for about 6–7 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Move it to a plate when done.

Step 02

Follow the directions on the pasta package to cook the linguine. Before draining, save a cup of the starchy pasta water.

Step 03

In the same pan, melt the leftover butter. Cook the garlic and herbs for a bit, stir in the broth, and squeeze in the lemon juice. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes.

Step 04

Cut up the chicken. Coat the pasta with the sauce, adding the saved pasta water if it feels dry. Toss the chicken in gently. Add a finishing touch of herbs and Parmesan.

Notes

  1. Keep some of the pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed
  2. You can tweak how spicy it is by adjusting red pepper flakes
  3. Feel free to make the sauce more or less spicy to your taste

Tools You'll Need

  • Big frying pan
  • Pot for boiling pasta
  • Strainer or colander
  • Good knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy
  • Has gluten in it