Golden Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine

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There’s something undeniably magical about the way golden seared chicken melds with rich garlic butter. This dish delivers just that—a skillet masterpiece that blends juicy, well-seasoned chicken with a sauce so silky, you’ll want to spoon it right out of the pan. The aroma of garlic sizzling in butter is enough to get everyone running to the kitchen.

Paired with a mound of creamy parmesan linguine, this meal turns a simple weeknight dinner into a luxurious experience. Each forkful captures the best of both worlds: savory meat and a velvety pasta swirled with cheese, cream, and garlic. It’s comfort food without the heavy fuss, ready in under an hour.

Why You’ll Love This Golden Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine

This recipe checks all the boxes. It’s easy enough for beginners yet impressive enough to serve to guests. The chicken comes out incredibly tender with a golden crust that locks in flavor, while the parmesan pasta is indulgent without being overly rich. It’s a one-pan wonder for the chicken and a quick sauce build for the linguine, meaning less cleanup, more joy.

Also, this recipe is endlessly customizable. Add spinach, swap linguine for fettuccine, or go spicy with a pinch of red pepper flakes. Whatever mood you’re in, this dish can match it.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

Boneless skinless chicken thighs are the go-to here for a few good reasons. They stay juicy, develop beautiful browning, and are forgiving to cook. If you prefer chicken breasts, slice them in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets, and keep a close eye to prevent drying.

For extra convenience, you can even use precooked rotisserie chicken, though you’ll miss out on the full garlic butter sear. Just toss the shredded meat into the sauce near the end to warm through.

Bone-in cuts aren’t recommended for this dish, as they require longer cook times and won’t work as seamlessly with the pasta pairing.

Ingredients for the Golden Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine

Let’s talk ingredients. This dish relies on simple pantry staples but puts them to work in the most flavorful way. Each element plays a crucial role in building the depth and richness of both the chicken and pasta. You won’t need anything fancy—just good ingredients and a little attention to the pan.

• Chicken thighs
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Butter
• Garlic cloves
• Parmesan cheese
• Heavy cream
• Linguine
• Fresh parsley

The chicken thighs offer juicy, flavorful bites with a golden crust. Olive oil helps sear them beautifully, while salt and pepper bring out the best in the meat. Butter is the star here, marrying with garlic cloves for a fragrant, rich sauce base. The parmesan cheese adds nutty depth to the pasta, and heavy cream rounds out the texture for that signature velvety coating. Linguine is perfect for soaking up the sauce, and a bit of fresh parsley gives a final pop of color and freshness.

How To Make the Golden Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Pat your chicken thighs dry and season them well with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and place the chicken in, skin side down (if using skin-on). Let it sear untouched for 4 to 5 minutes until golden, then flip and cook through. Transfer to a plate.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Scrape up any brown bits left from the chicken—this is pure flavor.

Step 3: Boil the Linguine

While the garlic butter is simmering, boil a pot of salted water and cook your linguine until just al dente. Reserve about a cup of the pasta water before draining.

Step 4: Build the Parmesan Sauce

To the garlic butter, add heavy cream and stir to combine. Once warmed through, add grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. If it gets too thick, splash in a bit of the reserved pasta water.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Add the drained linguine to the sauce, tossing until coated. Nestle the seared chicken back on top and let everything warm together for a couple of minutes. Finish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

How to Serve and Store Golden Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine

This recipe generously serves 4 people and makes for a hearty dinner that satisfies every kind of eater. Serve it hot, straight out of the skillet, for that just-made richness. If you’re feeling fancy, plate the linguine in a shallow bowl, place a piece of chicken on top, and spoon some extra sauce around the edge. It’s an instant dinner-party winner.

Leftovers? You’re in luck. This dish reheats well with a splash of cream or milk to loosen up the sauce. Store everything in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat to bring back that creaminess without breaking the sauce.

Freezing isn’t recommended because the cream-based sauce may separate upon thawing, but if you do freeze, thaw it slowly in the fridge and stir thoroughly while reheating.

What to Serve With Golden Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Linguine?

Garlic Bread

You can never go wrong with golden, buttery garlic bread. It’s the perfect tool to mop up that extra creamy sauce.

Roasted Broccoli

Roasting brings out broccoli’s natural nuttiness, and its crisp texture contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken and pasta.

Caesar Salad

A fresh Caesar salad with crisp romaine, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons makes for a refreshing starter or side.

Sauteed Spinach

Simple and quick, spinach cooked in olive oil with a pinch of garlic adds a green touch without competing with the richness of the main dish.

Lemon Asparagus

The bright, tangy notes of lemon and the snap of asparagus lighten up the overall meal.

Tomato Basil Salad

Chopped cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and a pinch of salt offer a juicy, acidic counterpoint to the creaminess of the pasta.

A Glass of Chardonnay

A lightly oaked chardonnay complements the buttery flavors without overwhelming them, adding a touch of elegance to your plate.

Want More Chicken Pasta Ideas?

If you love this golden garlic butter chicken with creamy parmesan linguine, wait until you try these other dinner favorites that balance comfort and flavor beautifully:

• Delicious Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni for a meatier, garlicky twist with rigatoni.

• Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna if you’re craving seafood richness layered in pasta.

• Quick Creamy Cajun Pasta to turn up the heat while keeping things luxuriously creamy.

• Light Lemon Basil Pasta Salad with Chicken if you’re in the mood for something fresh and zesty.

• Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine for a spiced-up, cowboy-style alternative that also loves garlic butter.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can revisit it anytime your garlic butter cravings hit.

And don’t forget to comment below. Did you go for thighs or breasts? Did you throw in some baby spinach or maybe red pepper flakes? Let me know what your version looked like!

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting meals and indulgent comfort food on Luna Meals on Pinterest and find your next crave-worthy dinner idea:
https://www.pinterest.com/lunamealshomemaderecipes/

Conclusion

Golden garlic butter chicken paired with creamy parmesan linguine is what dinner dreams are made of. It’s easy to pull together, incredibly satisfying, and adaptable to your tastes. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this is a guaranteed plate-licker. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with garlicky goodness—this is one meal you’ll come back to again and again.

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