🍗🧄 Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine in Alfredo Sauce
Tender garlic butter chicken tossed with silky linguine and coated in a rich, creamy Parmesan Alfredo sauce.
This comforting pasta dinner combines juicy bite-sized chicken with buttery garlic, Italian herbs, and a luscious homemade Alfredo sauce. The linguine soaks up every bit of the creamy sauce, making this an easy restaurant-style meal that’s perfect for a cozy family dinner.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Stovetop
🛒 Ingredients
🍗 For the Chicken
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
🍝 For the Linguine
- 12 oz (340 g) linguine
- Salt, for the pasta water
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
🥛 For the Alfredo Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra grated Parmesan
- Cracked black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Linguine
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
Add the linguine and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
Drain the linguine and set aside.
Don’t rinse the pasta—the starch on the surface helps the Alfredo sauce cling beautifully.
🍗 Prepare the Garlic Butter Chicken
2. Season the Chicken
Place the bite-sized chicken pieces in a bowl.
Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Toss well to coat evenly.
3. Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
4. Add Garlic Butter
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the butter to the same skillet.
Once melted, add the minced garlic.
Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Be careful not to brown or burn the garlic.
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss briefly to coat it in the garlic butter.
Transfer the chicken back to the plate while you prepare the sauce.
🧄 Make the Alfredo Sauce
5. Melt the Butter
Using the same skillet, add the remaining butter over medium-low heat.
Allow it to melt gently.
6. Sauté the Garlic
Add the minced garlic.
Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
7. Add the Cream
Pour in the heavy cream.
Stir gently and bring it to a low simmer.
Do not allow the cream to boil rapidly.
Simmer for approximately 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to slightly thicken.
8. Add the Parmesan
Reduce the heat to low.
Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
Add the Italian seasoning and black pepper.
Taste and add salt if needed.
If the sauce becomes too thick, gradually stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches a smooth, silky consistency.
🍝 Combine Everything
9. Add the Linguine
Add the cooked linguine directly to the Alfredo sauce.
Toss gently with tongs until every strand is coated.
Add a little reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
10. Add the Chicken
Return the garlic butter chicken to the skillet.
Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly distributed and heated through.
Allow everything to cook together for 1–2 minutes so the flavors can meld.
🍽️ Serve
Divide the creamy chicken linguine among four plates.
Finish with freshly grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, and cracked black pepper.
For a little heat, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Serve immediately while the Alfredo sauce is warm and silky.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Use freshly grated Parmesan
Freshly grated Parmesan melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese and helps create a creamy Alfredo sauce.
Don’t boil the Alfredo sauce
High heat can cause the cream and cheese to separate. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer and use low heat once the Parmesan is added.
Reserve pasta water
The starchy pasta water is excellent for loosening the sauce while helping it cling to the linguine.
Don’t overcrowd the chicken
Cook the chicken in a single layer so it sears instead of steaming.
Serve immediately
Alfredo sauce thickens as it cools, so this pasta is best served straight from the skillet.
🌶️ Easy Variations
Spicy Garlic Chicken Alfredo
Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the sauce for a gentle kick.
Mushroom Chicken Alfredo
Sauté sliced mushrooms in the skillet after cooking the chicken, then continue with the Alfredo sauce.
Spinach Chicken Alfredo
Add 2 cups fresh baby spinach to the sauce during the final few minutes of cooking.
Broccoli Chicken Alfredo
Add steamed broccoli florets when tossing the linguine and chicken with the Alfredo sauce.
Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo
Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet, tangy contrast to the creamy sauce.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
Pair this creamy pasta with:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted asparagus
- Sautéed green beans
- Simple mixed green salad
A crisp salad is especially good alongside the rich Alfredo sauce.
🧊 Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Because Alfredo sauce thickens when chilled, the pasta may need a little liquid when reheated.
🔥 Reheating
For best results, reheat the pasta gently in a skillet over low to medium-low heat.
Add a splash of milk, cream, or reserved pasta water and toss frequently until warmed through and creamy again.
Avoid high heat, which can cause the Alfredo sauce to separate.
🍝🧄 Final Result
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine in Alfredo Sauce is rich, comforting, and packed with savory garlic-butter flavor.
Every forkful combines tender seasoned chicken, silky linguine, fragrant garlic, and creamy Parmesan Alfredo sauce for an easy restaurant-style dinner right at home.
Creamy, garlicky, cheesy, and completely satisfying—this is comfort food at its best! 🍗🧄🧀🍝✨