Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine

Of course! Here is a comprehensive and detailed recipe for your Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine, expanded into a full culinary feature.

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And what could be yummier than this decadent, comforting, and restaurant-quality dish?

A Culinary Embrace: Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine

Few dishes offer the immediate comfort and satisfaction of a perfectly executed creamy pasta. This recipe for Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine is a symphony of rich flavors and luxurious textures. Tender, golden-brown chicken is nestled in a velvety, parmesan-infused Alfredo-style sauce, all clinging to the long, elegant strands of linguine. It’s a meal that feels indulgent and special, yet is straightforward enough for a weeknight dinner. Prepare to make this your new signature dish.

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The History: From Rome to Your Home

The story of this dish is a tale of two culinary traditions merging. Linguine, meaning “little tongues” in Italian, hails from the Liguria region of Italy, famous for its delicate pasta shapes that hold light sauces like pesto.

The creamy sauce, however, has a more debated origin. The most famous tale places Alfredo di Lelio at its center. In early 20th century Rome, he created “Fettuccine Alfredo” for his pregnant wife who had no appetite. He simply tossed fettuccine with copious amounts of butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano, creating a rich, soothing dish. When American silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks visited his restaurant in the 1920s, they fell in love with it and brought the recipe to Hollywood, where it was popularized and evolved to include cream.

This recipe is a modern, protein-packed interpretation of that classic, combining the American-style creamy Alfredo with the Italian foundation of pasta and Parmesan.

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The Benefits: More Than Just Comfort

While this is a rich dish, it offers several benefits:

· High-Quality Protein: Chicken breast is a lean source of protein, essential for muscle repair and keeping you full and satisfied.
· Energy for Your Day: The linguine provides complex carbohydrates, giving you sustained energy.
· Bone Health: Parmesan cheese is a significant source of calcium.
· Antioxidant Power: Garlic contains allicin, a compound with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
· The Ultimate Benefit: It’s a soul-warming, shareable meal that brings people together around the table.

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The Formation: Gathering Your Ingredients

Serves: 4
Prep time:15 minutes
Cook time:20 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Chicken & Pasta:

· 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
· 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
· 1 teaspoon garlic powder
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 12 ounces (340g) linguine
· Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:

· 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
· 4-5 large cloves garlic, minced
· 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a slightly lighter version)
· 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
· ½ cup chicken broth
· 1 teaspoon onion powder
· A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended)

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The Methods: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfection

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Foundations

· Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil for the linguine.
· As the water heats, pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. Place them in a bowl and season evenly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta & Chicken Simultaneously

· Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente.
· While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
· Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

Step 3: Create the Luxurious Sauce

· Reduce the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 60 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to burn it.
· Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
· Slowly pour in the heavy cream, add the onion powder and the optional nutmeg. Stir to combine and let the sauce heat through until it just begins to simmer. Do not boil vigorously.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

· Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
· Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir to coat in the sauce and let it heat through for 1-2 minutes.
· By now, your pasta should be ready. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the linguine.
· Add the drained linguine directly to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Use tongs to toss everything together, ensuring every strand of pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.

Step 5: The Grand Finale

· Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
· Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnished with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Estimate):

· Calories: ~780
· Protein: ~45g
· Carbohydrates: ~68g
· Fat: ~35g
· Saturated Fat: ~18g
· Cholesterol: ~185mg
· Sodium: ~750mg
· Fiber: ~3g
· Sugar: ~4g

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used.

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Conclusion: A Dish for Lovers

This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s for the lovers—the lovers of robust garlic, the lovers of rich, creamy textures, the lovers of comforting, home-cooked food, and most importantly, the lovers of sharing a delicious, heartwarming dish with family and friends.

It proves that with a few quality ingredients and a straightforward method, you can create magic in a skillet. So, gather your ingredients, pour yourself a glass of white wine, and create a little piece of culinary heaven tonight. Yummy!