Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: Your New Favourite Weeknight Meal

Are you stuck in a culinary rut, searching for a weeknight dinner that’s both excitingly different and wonderfully simple? If you’re on the hunt for a meal that delivers a serious punch of flavour without demanding hours of your time, then we have just the thing. Allow us to introduce you to the bold and beautiful world of Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine.

This is far more than your average pasta dish; it’s a taste experience waiting to happen. We’re talking about tender, seared chicken and perfectly cooked linguine, all brought together by a sauce that is zesty, rich, and utterly irresistible. The real hero here is the “Cowboy Butter,” an inspired fusion of garlic, fresh herbs, lemon, and a gentle warmth of chilli that elevates a simple meal to something truly special. It’s the ideal dish for a busy evening, ready in less than half an hour and guaranteed to become a family favourite.

What Exactly is Cowboy Butter?

Before we jump into the method, let’s get acquainted with the star of our show: Cowboy Butter. If this is your first time hearing about it, prepare to be impressed. Originally conceived as a dip for steak, its incredible versatility has seen it become a go-to sauce for everything from chicken and seafood to roasted vegetables. It is a spectacular blend that masterfully balances creamy richness with bright, tangy flavours.

At its heart, Cowboy Butter begins with a base of melted butter that is infused with a dynamic crew of aromatic ingredients. You could think of it as garlic butter that decided to go on a thrilling adventure. Here’s a breakdown of its typical components:

• The Foundation: High-quality unsalted butter creates the smooth, luxurious base.
• The Aromatics: Finely minced garlic and shallots are crucial for building a deep, savoury flavour.
• The Tang: A generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice, along with some zest, effortlessly cuts through the richness and adds a vibrant lift.
• The Herbs: A fresh medley of parsley, chives, and sometimes thyme adds layers of freshness and complexity.
• The Warmth: Red pepper flakes introduce a pleasant, subtle heat, while a touch of Dijon mustard brings a tangy depth.

When this phenomenal sauce is tossed with tender chicken and pasta, it results in a truly remarkable chicken pasta dinner that is anything but conventional.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Symphony of Flavours: The Cowboy Butter sauce is the main event, offering a complex interplay of spicy, zesty, and savoury tastes in every forkful. It’s a genuine taste sensation.
• Ready in Under 30 Minutes: The entire dish comes together incredibly quickly, making it the ultimate meal for those busy weeknights when you crave something special without the effort.
• Beautifully Creamy: With the addition of double cream and Parmesan cheese, the zesty butter sauce is transformed into a velvety, luxurious coating for the pasta, creating the perfect creamy chicken linguine.
• Effortlessly Adaptable: You are the chef! Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking, substitute the herbs, or toss in some of your favourite vegetables to make the dish uniquely yours.
• A Creative Spin on a Classic: This recipe takes the comforting soul of a chicken pasta dish and infuses it with a bold, Western inspired pasta character that is sure to delight your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 400g Linguine
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 500g), sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 120g Unsalted butter
• 6 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Shallot, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• Juice and zest of 1 Lemon
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp Fresh chives, chopped
• 100ml Double cream
• 50g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine: A Step-by-Step Guide

Putting together this delightful dish is much easier than you might imagine. We have separated the process into three straightforward stages to guarantee flawless results every single time. Let’s begin!

Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Chicken

1. First, get a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the linguine and cook it following the packet instructions until it is al dente. Just before you drain it, scoop out and save around 250ml (one cup) of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and pop it to one side.
2. While your pasta cooks, take the chicken pieces, pat them dry with kitchen roll, and season them liberally with salt and pepper.
3. In a large, deep frying pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Place the chicken in a single layer (you may need to work in batches to prevent overcrowding) and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and cooked all the way through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Step 2: Create the Magical Cowboy Butter Sauce

Here comes the best part! This is where we build those incredible layers of flavour. If you’re a fan of a good spicy garlic butter pasta, you will fall in love with this sauce.

1. Lower the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter to the very same skillet. Let it melt completely, making sure to scrape up any tasty browned bits left by the chicken for an extra flavour boost.
2. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped shallot to the pan. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant and soften, taking care to ensure the garlic doesn’t catch and burn.
3. Now, stir in the red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Continue to cook for another minute, stirring all the while, to let the flavours mingle beautifully. Your kitchen will start to smell absolutely amazing!

Step 3: Bring It All Together

1. Pour the double cream into the skillet and stir to combine it with the butter and spice mixture. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer.
2. Next, add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until it has melted completely into the sauce, leaving you with a smooth and creamy consistency.
3. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan. Tip in the drained linguine and toss everything together until every single strand of pasta and piece of chicken is generously coated in that glorious sauce.
4. If the sauce appears a little too thick, simply add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Add it gradually until you achieve your preferred consistency. The starch in the water is key to helping the sauce cling to the pasta.
5. To finish, stir through the fresh parsley and chives. Taste and season with a final pinch of salt and pepper if needed. Serve straight away, garnished with an extra helping of grated Parmesan and a little more fresh parsley.

Tips for Pasta Perfection

To ensure your Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is nothing short of spectacular, we recommend keeping these simple pointers in mind.

• Save That Pasta Water: We can’t say this enough! That cloudy, starchy water is liquid gold in the kitchen. It helps to emulsify the sauce, creating a silky texture that binds perfectly to the pasta and prevents it from separating.
• Fresh is Best: While dried herbs are fine in a pinch, using fresh parsley and chives will elevate the final dish. The same applies to fresh garlic and lemon juice—their vibrant, potent flavours are essential to the sauce’s signature taste.
• Mind the Pasta: Cooking your pasta until it is ‘al dente’ (meaning ‘to the tooth’ or firm) is vital. It will absorb some of the sauce and continue to cook a little more when combined with the other hot ingredients. For an expert take, this guide from BBC Good Food on how to cook pasta perfectly is a fantastic resource.
• Grate Your Own Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents which can stop it from melting smoothly. Grating a block of Parmesan yourself will result in a much creamier and more luxurious sauce.

Customisations and Delicious Variations

One of the most wonderful aspects of this recipe is just how adaptable it is. Here are a few of our favourite ways to put a personal spin on it.

Protein Swaps

If you don’t fancy chicken, this Cowboy Butter sauce pairs beautifully with other proteins. Why not try it with juicy king prawns? Just be sure to add them towards the end of cooking to keep them tender. Alternatively, thinly sliced sirloin steak makes for a truly indulgent meal.

Add Some Veggies

You can easily boost the nutritional value by adding some vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers would all be wonderful additions. We suggest cooking them separately and stirring them through at the same time as the pasta.

Control the Heat

If you’re a spice lover, feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes or even add a splash of your go-to hot sauce. For those who prefer a milder flavour, simply reduce the chilli or omit it entirely. For another spicy chicken concept, have a look at our recipe for Spicy Brazilian Coconut Chicken.

If you’re keen on exploring other chicken dishes with exciting flavour profiles, you might also enjoy our Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, which offer another inventive take on a family staple.

FAQ

A New Weeknight Favourite Awaits

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is so much more than a simple recipe; it’s a full-flavoured experience. It offers the perfect opportunity to revitalise your dinner routine with a dish that is bursting with character, incredibly tasty, and remarkably easy to whip up. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to produce a meal that feels truly special.

So, the next time you find yourself pondering what to cook for dinner, we hope you’ll be inspired to give this recipe a try. It is a certified crowd-pleaser that is sure to have everyone at the table asking for a second helping.

Have you made our Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine? We would be delighted to hear your thoughts! Feel free to leave a comment below or tag us in your pictures on social media. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 400g Linguine
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 500g), sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 120g Unsalted butter
• 6 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Shallot, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• Juice and zest of 1 Lemon
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp Fresh chives, chopped
• 100ml Double cream
• 50g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 250ml (1 cup) of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in a single layer until golden brown and cooked through (3-4 minutes per side). Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Lower the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken. Sauté the minced garlic and shallot for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Stir in the red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook for another minute to let the flavours combine.
5. Pour in the double cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it has fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained linguine. Toss everything together to coat thoroughly in the sauce.
7. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
8. Stir in the fresh parsley and chives. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 1010,
Carbs: 81 g,
Protein: 58 g,
Fat: 51 g