Description
Golden garlic butter chicken paired with velvety Parmesan linguine? Yes, please. This easy dinner idea is pure comfort food done right—creamy, rich, and loaded with bold garlic flavor. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing dish for guests, or just a cozy night-in option, this easy recipe checks every box. With just one pan and under 30 minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend cooking. If you’re searching for dinner ideas, comfort food classics, or food ideas that don’t require complicated steps, this one is a winner. Also ideal for quick meal prep or when you need those healthy-ish snack or dinner options without the fuss.
Ingredients
12 oz linguine
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried parsley (optional)
¼ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
4. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add grated Parmesan, stirring until smooth. Add reserved pasta water to thin if needed.
6. Add cooked linguine to the sauce. Toss gently until well coated.
7. Slice the rested chicken and place on top of the pasta. Drizzle with any remaining garlic butter from the pan.
8. Garnish with extra Parmesan and dried parsley or cracked pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture—pre-shredded cheese can clump in the sauce.
Don’t skip the reserved pasta water—it helps create that silky, clingy sauce.
Let your chicken rest before slicing to lock in the juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, parmesan pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy recipe, dinner ideas, comfort food