If you’re craving a dish that’s comforting, flavorful, and downright satisfying, this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe is going to be your new go-to. I absolutely love how the tender chicken mingles with a buttery, savory sauce, all wrapped up in perfectly cooked linguine. It’s that kind of meal that’ll make everyone at your table happy and keep them coming back for seconds.
What makes this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe stand out is its simplicity combined with bold flavors—you don’t need a kitchen full of fancy ingredients to create something spectacular. Whether you’re whipping it up for a weeknight dinner or impressing friends on the weekend, you’ll find this recipe hits all the right notes, delivering a satisfying meal that’s easy to pull off.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.
- Rich, Buttery Flavor: The “butter” aspect brings an indulgent, comforting richness to your pasta dinner.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy family meal or a casual dinner party, this linguine shines.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Friends and family will rave about the taste and creamy texture every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients here come together to create a wonderful balance of creamy, cheesy, and savory notes. When shopping, aim for fresh chicken and good-quality cheese—that’ll really elevate the dish.
- Cooked chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken saves time; roasted or poached works beautifully.
- Spaghetti: I love breaking it into smaller pieces for easier mixing and eating.
- Cream of mushroom soup: This adds a creamy earthiness that’s perfect for the sauce base.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: The sharpness balances the creaminess and gives the dish a nice tang.
- Green pepper: Adds a subtle crunch and freshness.
- Onion: Helps deepen the flavor with its natural sweetness.
- Diced pimentos: These bring a sweet, slightly smoky pop of color and flavor.
- Chicken broth: Using the broth from cooking chicken adds extra depth to your sauce.
- Lawry’s Seasoned Salt: This is my secret weapon for infusing richer flavors.
- Cayenne pepper: Use sparingly to add just a touch of warmth.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to taste.
Variations
I like to mix things up depending on what I have in the fridge or what mood I’m in. Feel free to personalize this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe to suit your tastes—you really can’t go wrong!
- Use different cheeses: I’ve swapped sharp cheddar for Monterey Jack or even smoked gouda for a unique twist, and it always turns out great.
- Make it spicy: Adding extra cayenne or a dash of hot sauce amps up the heat if you’re into bold flavors.
- Vegetarian version: Swap the chicken with sautéed mushrooms or grilled veggies; the sauce is so rich it carries the dish well.
- Gluten-free linguine: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make this recipe accessible for all.
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Pasta
Start by cooking your chicken thoroughly—whether you roast, boil, or pan-sear, just make sure it’s cooked through and juicy. While the chicken is cooking, break your spaghetti into about two-inch pieces; this makes it easier to eat and mix. Once your chicken is ready, shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces, aiming for about two cups. Then cook the spaghetti in the reserved chicken broth until al dente—this infuses the pasta with flavor right from the start. Be careful not to overcook the pasta; you want that slight bite to it, so it doesn’t get mushy later.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients and Make the Sauce
In a large bowl, mix the cooked chicken, cooked spaghetti, cream of mushroom soup, grated sharp cheddar (reserve about a cup to top the casserole), diced green pepper, onion, and drained diced pimentos. Pour in two cups of the reserved chicken broth to bring everything together. Season with Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, cayenne pepper, and freshly ground black pepper to your preference. Stir everything until well combined—you’ll love how all these flavors meld together right here in the bowl!
Step 3: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden
Transfer the hearty mixture to a casserole dish and smooth it out evenly. Sprinkle the reserved sharp cheddar cheese over the top to create a deliciously cheesy crust. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 45 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden. If the cheese starts browning too fast, tent with aluminum foil to prevent burning—trust me, it makes all the difference. Once done, let it rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors really set in.
Pro Tips for Making Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
- Reserve Your Broth: Cooking the spaghetti in chicken broth instead of water imparts a subtle depth to the pasta that you’ll notice in every bite.
- Cheese Timing: Add most of your cheese to the mix but save some for topping; it helps the casserole bake into a lovely cheesy crust that finishes the dish perfectly.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Since you’ll be baking the dish later, keeping the pasta al dente prevents it from turning mushy.
- Cover if Needed: Tent the casserole with foil if browning happens too quickly; this keeps the cheese melty without burning.
How to Serve Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or a handful of chopped green onions on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes a little extra grated sharp cheddar or even a dusting of smoked paprika adds a tasty finish that guests always appreciate.
Side Dishes
A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness of the Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine beautifully. Garlic bread or warm crusty bread is also great for soaking up any leftover sauce—my family never lets a drop go to waste!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this in small ramekins topped with extra cheese and broiled just before plating for a fancy cheesy crust. You could also try layering it in a trifle dish for a stunning buffet-style presentation that’s sure to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to two days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even tastier in my opinion.
Freezing
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe freezes really well. I usually freeze it before baking, covered tightly with foil and plastic wrap, for up to six months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before popping it into the oven.
Reheating
To warm leftovers, I cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F until heated through—usually about 20-25 minutes. This approach keeps the pasta moist and the cheese melty without drying it out.
FAQs
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Can I make this Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble it and refrigerate for up to two days before baking, or freeze it unbaked for up to six months. This makes it perfect for meal prepping or prepping for a gathering.
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What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
If you prefer, you can substitute with cream of chicken soup for a lighter taste or make a homemade roux-based mushroom sauce. Just keep in mind that canned soup adds convenience and that creamy texture signature to the dish.
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Can I use other types of pasta instead of spaghetti?
Definitely! Linguine, fettuccine, or even penne can work well. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time to keep the pasta al dente before mixing with the sauce.
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Is this recipe spicy?
It has just a hint of spice from the cayenne pepper, but you can easily adjust the amount or leave it out if you want a milder dish. It’s very adaptable to your heat preference.
Final Thoughts
This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s both comforting and full of character. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, yet it’s so straightforward to pull together. I’m confident that once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again—just like I do. So don’t hesitate to give it a go; you’re going to be really glad you did!
Print
Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting and cheesy Chicken Spaghetti casserole that combines tender cooked chicken, al dente spaghetti, creamy mushroom soup, and sharp cheddar cheese for a hearty family-friendly meal. This dish is perfect to bake and enjoy warm, with a slight kick from cayenne pepper, and can be frozen for convenient future meals.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 cups cooked chicken
Pasta
- 3 cups spaghetti, uncooked and broken into 2-inch pieces
Soup & Broth
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups reserved chicken broth from pot
Cheese & Vegetables
- 3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimentos, drained
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cook one whole cut-up fryer chicken. Once cooked, pick out the meat to yield two cups of cooked chicken, discarding bones and skin.
- Cook Spaghetti: Using the reserved broth from cooking the chicken, boil and cook the broken spaghetti pieces until al dente. Avoid overcooking to maintain texture.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked spaghetti, cream of mushroom soup, 2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese, diced green pepper, diced onion, drained pimentos, 2 cups of reserved chicken broth, Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into a casserole pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Optional Storage: Cover the casserole with foil and either freeze for up to six months or refrigerate for up to two days if not baking immediately.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole covered for 45 minutes or until bubbly and hot throughout. If the cheese topping begins to brown or cook too fast, loosely cover it with foil to prevent over-browning.
Notes
- The chicken broth from cooking the chicken is essential for flavoring the pasta, so reserve it carefully.
- Breaking the spaghetti into 2-inch pieces helps it mix well with the other ingredients and is easier to eat as a casserole.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level based on your preference.
- The casserole freezes well and makes an excellent make-ahead meal for busy days.
- Use sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese flavor; mild cheddar can be substituted but will alter the taste.
- Covering the casserole during baking keeps it moist and prevents the cheese from burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
