Caramelized Onion & Chicken Linguine

Czarryy

A comforting pasta dish where golden caramelized onions meet tender chicken, tossed in a creamy, tangy sauce with parmesan and fresh parsley. Perfect for a cozy dinner with layers of savory-sweet flavor.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Course Main Course, Pasta Dish

Cuisine Comfort Food, Italian-Inspired

Servings 4

Calories 530 kcal

Equipment

Large skillet
Slotted spoon
Large pot for pasta
Wooden spoon or spatula
Cheese grater

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
10 ounces linguine pasta
½ cup heavy cream
Juice of ½ lemon
3 ounces freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic, season lightly, and sauté until chicken is cooked through and lightly golden, about 6–7 minutes. Transfer chicken and garlic to a plate and set aside.
Caramelize the Onions
In the same skillet, add onions with a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 18–20 minutes until softened and starting to turn golden. Stir in balsamic vinegar and barbecue sauce, then continue cooking another 15 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.
Cook the Pasta
While the onions are cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
Make the Sauce
To the caramelized onions, stir in the cream, lemon juice, and parmesan. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add about ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Combine Pasta & Sauce
Toss the drained linguine into the skillet with the onion sauce. Add a splash more pasta water if needed until the sauce evenly coats the pasta.
Finish & Serve
Plate the pasta and top with the reserved chicken, fresh parsley, and extra parmesan. Serve warm.

Notes

Pro Tips & Variations

Make it smoky: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or use smoked mozzarella instead of parmesan.
Vegetarian swap: Skip the chicken and double the onions, or add sautéed mushrooms for depth.
Richer flavor: Deglaze the onions with a splash of white wine before adding cream.
Lighter option: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or plain Greek yogurt.
Extra greens: Toss in baby spinach or arugula right before serving for a fresh touch.

Keyword caramelized onion pasta, chicken linguine, creamy linguine, Italian chicken pasta, onion parmesan pasta, Pasta Dish