Chicken Alfredo Pasta
A quick and comforting Chicken Alfredo Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken breast, creamy homemade Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked fettuccine. Ready in under 30 minutes, this rich and cozy dish is ideal for weeknight dinners and customizable to suit various dietary preferences.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Contains Gluten and Dairy
Chicken
- 2 boneless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), sliced into strips
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- Salt, for pasta water
Alfredo Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water for later use.
- Sear the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest before slicing thinly.
- Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained fettuccine and sliced chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen and perfectly coat the pasta.
- Finish and Serve: Season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best creamy sauce and authentic flavor.
- Do not overcook chicken to ensure it remains juicy and tender.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the thickness of the sauce as needed.
- Add Parmesan cheese slowly while stirring constantly to avoid clumping.
- Let chicken rest before slicing to maintain moisture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Chicken Alfredo, creamy pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, Italian pasta recipe