Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Creamy Dream: Homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Creamy chicken fettuccine alfredo brings comfort straight to your dinner table with an irresistible blend of flavors.

Pasta lovers know this classic dish satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Rich parmesan cheese coats each tender noodle like a warm culinary embrace.

Succulent chicken pieces add protein and depth to every delectable bite.

Smooth sauce whispers promises of indulgence from the first forkful.

Wellness meets decadence in this perfectly balanced Italian-inspired meal.

I promise this recipe will become your new weeknight favorite that impresses without complicated techniques.

One taste and you’ll understand why generations have cherished this simple yet spectacular combination.

Cook’s Tips for Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

  • Perfectly Slice Chicken: Cut chicken against the grain for tender, melt-in-your-mouth strips that ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
  • Cream Sauce Consistency: Keep heat low and stir constantly to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy, creating a silky smooth texture that clings beautifully to pasta.
  • Pasta Water Magic: Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce thickness, helping create a perfectly balanced and glossy Alfredo coating without losing rich flavor.
  • Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or keep it vegetarian by adding roasted vegetables like asparagus or mushrooms for diverse meal variations.
  • Temperature Control: Allow chicken to rest after cooking to lock in juices, and serve immediately after mixing sauce with pasta to enjoy the dish at its peak creamy temperature.

Save and Reheat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

  • Store leftover chicken fettuccine alfredo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Cover the surface with plastic wrap directly touching the sauce to prevent a skin from forming.
  • Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
  • Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best quality and flavor.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo at a Glance

  • No complex culinary skills needed – even beginner cooks can nail this creamy, cheesy dish with simple seasoning techniques and straightforward cooking steps.
  • Easily adapt the recipe by swapping chicken for shrimp, adding vegetables like spinach or broccoli, or adjusting spice levels to match your taste preferences.
  • A universally loved dish that satisfies both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners, casual gatherings, or a cozy meal that feels indulgent yet simple.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Ingredient Checklist

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breast: Lean protein that adds substance and flavor to the pasta dish, choose boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
Pasta Ingredients:
  • Fettuccine, Pasta Water: Wide, flat noodles that perfectly hold the creamy sauce, choose high-quality Italian pasta for authentic texture.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Butter, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Rich dairy components that create a smooth, luxurious Alfredo sauce, select full-fat options for best flavor and consistency.
Seasoning and Aromatics:
  • Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, Minced Garlic: Herbs and spices that enhance the chicken and sauce's depth of flavor, use fresh garlic for more intense taste.
Garnish and Optional Sides:
  • Fresh Parsley, Extra Parmesan Cheese, Garlic Bread, Side Salad: Finishing touches that add color, freshness, and complementary flavors to the dish.

Follow These Steps for Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring it to a rolling boil. Toss in the fettuccine and cook until it’s perfectly tender. Keep a half cup of the starchy water before draining – this liquid gold will come in handy later.

Step 2: Season Chicken

Get your chicken ready with a flavor explosion:
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Step 3: Cook Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown exterior and internal temperature of 165°F. Once done, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into tempting strips.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, dial down the heat. Melt butter and add minced garlic, letting it become fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Combine and Coat

Marry the cooked pasta and sliced chicken with the velvety sauce. Toss everything together to ensure each piece is lavishly coated. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to reach the perfect consistency.

Step 6: Final Touches

Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Shower the dish with freshly chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your masterpiece hot, accompanied by garlic bread or a crisp side salad. Get ready for a comforting, restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen!

Serve Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo With These

  • Select a butter-forward, lightly oaked Chardonnay that complements the creamy sauce's richness and balances the chicken's savory profile.
  • Create a warm, herbed Italian bread that provides a perfect texture contrast and helps soak up the luxurious Alfredo sauce.
  • Toss a light, peppery arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's heaviness and add a refreshing element.
  • Choose a dry, effervescent Prosecco that cleanses the palate between bites and enhances the meal's creamy, indulgent qualities.

Alternate Styles of Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

  • Vegetarian Alfredo: Replace chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or roasted cauliflower florets for a hearty plant-based protein alternative.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free fettuccine pasta and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate celiac dietary needs.
  • Low-Carb Version: Swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash strands, maintaining creamy sauce while reducing carbohydrate content.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast or cashew-based cheese instead of Parmesan for a rich, creamy texture that suits lactose-intolerant individuals.

Curious About Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo? Read This

  • What is the purpose of reserving pasta water?

The reserved pasta water helps adjust the sauce’s consistency. Its starchy nature helps the sauce cling better to the pasta and can thin out a sauce that’s become too thick.

  • Why do I need to let the chicken rest after cooking?

Resting allows the chicken’s juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat stays moist and tender when sliced. This prevents the chicken from becoming dry and maintains its flavor.

  • How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches 75°C/165°F. The meat should also look golden brown and have no pink areas.

  • Can I use different types of cheese in the Alfredo sauce?

While Parmesan is traditional, you can experiment with Romano or a blend of cheeses. Just ensure they melt smoothly and complement the creamy sauce’s rich flavor.

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Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

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

Description

Creamy chicken fettuccine alfredo whisks diners straight to Italian comfort on a plate. Rich parmesan sauce and tender chicken create a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Seasonings:

  • 400 g (14 oz) fettuccine pasta
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water (reserved from cooking the pasta)

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups (375 ml) heavy cream
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a substantial pot, submerging fettuccine and cooking until perfectly tender with a slight bite.
  2. Extract a modest portion of starchy pasta liquid, then carefully drain noodles and set aside.
  3. Generously season chicken pieces with aromatic garlic powder, herbaceous Italian seasoning, and fundamental salt and pepper.
  4. Warm olive oil in a capacious skillet over robust heat, creating an ideal searing environment.
  5. Sauté chicken until golden-crusted and thoroughly cooked, ensuring internal temperature reaches safe consumption level.
  6. Allow chicken to rest momentarily before transforming into elegant strips.
  7. Reduce skillet temperature, introducing butter to create a luxurious foundation.
  8. Introduce minced garlic, releasing its fragrant essence briefly.
  9. Stream heavy cream into the skillet, cultivating a gentle, rhythmic simmer while maintaining constant stirring.
  10. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, transforming the liquid into a velvety, harmonious sauce.
  11. Unite cooked pasta and sliced chicken within the creamy embrace, ensuring comprehensive coating.
  12. Adjust sauce consistency by introducing reserved pasta water if necessary.
  13. Fine-tune seasoning with nuanced salt and pepper touches.
  14. Embellish with verdant parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
  15. Present immediately, accompanied by crusty garlic bread or crisp side salad.

Notes

  • Prevent pasta from sticking by stirring occasionally during cooking and using enough salted water to give it room to move.
  • Choose high-quality Parmesan cheese for richer, more authentic flavor and smoother sauce consistency.
  • Slice chicken against the grain for tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that ensures each bite remains juicy and flavorful.
  • Adapt the recipe for dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut cream for lighter versions, and using gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly options.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 680 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Jessica Martinez

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

  • Program: Certificate in Patisserie
  • Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.

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