Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Creamy Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe Everyone Will Love

Whipping up a creamy chicken Alfredo brings pure comfort to your dinner table.

Pasta lovers adore this classic Italian-inspired dish for its rich, velvety sauce.

Savory chicken pieces nestle perfectly among tender noodles, creating a meal that feels like a warm hug.

Parmesan cheese melts into a luxurious coating that makes every bite irresistible.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients.

Preparing this crowd-pleasing meal transforms an ordinary evening into something special.

Let’s make a chicken Alfredo that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Best Pairings for Chicken Alfredo

A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creamy Alfredo sauce, balancing its richness with bright, refreshing acidity.

Toasted, buttery garlic bread provides a crunchy texture contrast and helps soak up the delectable sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience.

A light, peppery arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette offers a zesty counterpoint to the creamy chicken Alfredo, adding freshness and balancing the dish’s heaviness.

Tender roasted asparagus spears seasoned with sea salt and olive oil bring a subtle earthy flavor and nutritious green element to complete the meal.

How to Store Chicken Alfredo

  • Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and preserve flavor.
  • Place chicken Alfredo in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
  • Pour leftovers into a skillet, add a splash of cream or milk to restore sauce consistency, warm over medium-low heat while gently stirring to prevent sticking and maintain creamy texture.

FAQs

  • What type of pasta works best for Chicken Alfredo?

Fettuccine is the traditional pasta for Alfredo sauce, but you can also use linguine or penne if preferred. The wide, flat noodles help capture the creamy sauce perfectly.

  • Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works great. Just slice and add to the sauce, saving time without compromising flavor.

  • How can I make the sauce creamier?

Use full-fat heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Grate the cheese yourself for a smoother, more luxurious sauce texture.

Why Chicken Alfredo Is a Classic Comfort Dish

  • Conquer Weeknight Cooking: This chicken Alfredo recipe transforms complicated dinner challenges into a simple, stress-free meal that anyone can master, even with minimal cooking experience.
  • Savor Family-Friendly Comfort: Creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken create a universally loved dish that pleases both kids and adults, making mealtime a delightful shared experience.
  • Speed Through Dinner Prep: With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, you can go from kitchen to table in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy households craving a delicious homemade meal.
  • Customize Your Culinary Creation: Easily adapt the recipe by adding vegetables like spinach or broccoli, switching protein types, or adjusting seasoning to match your family's taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Ingredients for Chicken Alfredo

Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken Breasts: Tender protein that serves as the main component of the dish.
  • Fettuccine Pasta: Classic long, flat noodles that form the base of the Alfredo preparation.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Rich, salty cheese that creates the creamy sauce's signature flavor.
Dairy and Cream Components:
  • Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, smooth base for the Alfredo sauce.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky sauce texture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Key seasonings that bring depth and balance to the overall taste of the chicken Alfredo.
  • Olive Oil: Used for cooking the chicken and preventing sticking in the skillet.

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Easily

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook fettuccine in salted water until tender with a slight bite. Drain and set aside, ensuring the pasta doesn’t stick together.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Season chicken with:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium flame. Cook chicken until each side turns a beautiful golden brown and cooks through completely.

Transfer to a cutting board and let rest briefly before slicing.

Step 3: Create Luxurious Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Saute until fragrant and softened. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

Gradually whisk Parmesan cheese into the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Combine and Coat

Add sliced chicken and cooked fettuccine directly into the sauce. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each pasta strand and chicken slice gets lavishly coated with the rich, velvety sauce.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer to serving plates immediately while the pasta is hot and sauce is creamy. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Tips for Chicken Alfredo Success

  • Cook fettuccine exactly 8-10 minutes for ideal al dente texture that absorbs sauce beautifully without becoming mushy.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure golden-brown exterior and maximum flavor development during cooking.
  • Use freshly minced garlic instead of pre-chopped for more intense, aromatic taste that elevates the entire alfredo sauce.
  • Add Parmesan cheese gradually and whisk continuously to prevent clumping and create silky, creamy consistency.
  • Maintain medium heat when making sauce to prevent cream from scorching and cheese from separating.

Variations on Chicken Alfredo

  • Gluten-Free Alfredo: Replace fettuccine with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with cauliflower rice or shirataki noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake.
  • Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or roasted tofu for a plant-based protein alternative.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese for lactose-intolerant individuals.
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Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Chicken Alfredo Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Creamy chicken alfredo brings Italian comfort right to your kitchen, blending tender pasta with rich, velvety sauce. Parmesan cheese and garlic create a luxurious dinner you’ll savor with each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Protein:

  • 34 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine pasta

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Immerse fettuccine in generously salted, boiling water, cooking until perfectly tender (approximately 8-10 minutes). Thoroughly drain and reserve.
  2. Liberally season chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature, carefully searing chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until achieving a golden exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking. Transfer to a cutting board and allow brief resting before slicing.
  3. Utilize the identical skillet, melting butter over medium heat. Gently sauté minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for roughly 1 minute.
  4. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, bringing to a delicate, bubbling simmer. Progressively incorporate Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until achieving a luxuriously smooth consistency. Enhance with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Integrate cooked fettuccine and expertly sliced chicken into the creamy sauce, thoroughly tossing to ensure comprehensive coating and flavor distribution.

Notes

  • Choose pasta with ridges or curves to help sauce cling better, enhancing flavor distribution throughout the dish.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture and adds incredible texture.
  • Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for maximum melting and richer taste compared to pre-packaged shredded cheese.
  • Adjust sauce consistency by adding pasta water if too thick or simmering longer if too thin, creating perfect creamy texture every time.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 565 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 460 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 19 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 42 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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