Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Creamy Sauce

Introduction

Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Creamy Sauce is one of the most beloved Italian-American comfort food dishes. It combines tender pieces of chicken with al dente pasta, all tossed in a rich, velvety sauce made from butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The sauce clings beautifully to the pasta, creating a luxurious texture and flavor that’s both hearty and elegant. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this dish is a classic that never goes out of style.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity. The creamy Alfredo sauce is rich and comforting, yet it comes together quickly with only a handful of ingredients. Adding chicken makes it heartier, turning it into a complete meal that’s filling and satisfying. The aroma of garlic, butter, and Parmesan while cooking is simply irresistible. Best of all, it’s versatile—you can serve it with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or even just a slice of garlic bread for a cozy, restaurant-quality dinner at home.

Why This is a Must-Try Dish

This is a must-try dish because it’s a timeless comfort food that appeals to both kids and adults. It’s quick to prepare (ready in under 40 minutes), yet it feels indulgent enough to serve for guests or special occasions. Unlike store-bought Alfredo sauces, the homemade version is fresh, flavorful, and free of preservatives. Once you make this recipe, you’ll realize how easy it is to create a creamy pasta dish that tastes far better than takeout or restaurant versions.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories per Serving: ~650–700 kcal (depending on pasta and cream used)

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Course: Main Course, Dinner

Ingredients

For the Chicken Alfredo Pasta:

• 300 g (10 oz) fettuccine pasta (or spaghetti/penne)
• 2 chicken breasts (about 400 g), boneless and skinless, sliced into strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Alfredo Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup whole milk (optional, for lighter sauce)
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional, adds warmth)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
2. Season and cook chicken strips in olive oil until golden brown, then set aside.
3. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
4. Stir in cream and simmer until slightly thickened.
5. Add Parmesan cheese, stir until melted and creamy.
6. Return chicken and pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook 300 g of fettuccine pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain the rest, and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

• Season 2 sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Cook chicken strips until golden brown and fully cooked (about 5–6 minutes). Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce

• In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
• Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup milk. Simmer gently for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Stir in ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
• Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (optional).

Step 4: Combine Everything

• Return cooked chicken to the skillet.
• Add drained pasta and toss to coat.
• If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

Step 5: Serve

• Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
• Serve immediately while hot.

How to Serve

• Best served hot, straight from the skillet.
• Pair with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or steamed vegetables.
• For a fancy touch, garnish with shaved Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

Additional Tips

• Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-shredded for a smoother sauce.
• Don’t boil the sauce after adding Parmesan—it can separate.
• Add a splash of pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
• Cook pasta until just al dente; it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Variations

• Shrimp Alfredo: Replace chicken with shrimp, cooking for 2–3 minutes per side.
• Vegetarian Alfredo: Add sautéed broccoli, spinach, zucchini, or peas instead of chicken.
• Bacon Alfredo: Add crispy bacon or pancetta for extra flavor.
• Lighter Alfredo: Use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
• Spicy Alfredo: Add red chili flakes for a mild kick.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
• Freezing: Not ideal due to cream separation, but if needed, freeze before adding Parmesan and cream. Add them fresh when reheating.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large skillet or sauté pan (for chicken and sauce)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and cutting board
• Cheese grater

Conclusion

Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Creamy Sauce is the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. With tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish is both comforting and elegant—ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests. Once you try making this at home, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought Alfredo sauces again. It’s quick, delicious, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

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Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Creamy Sauce

Author: admin Cuisine: American, Italian Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 40 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 700 kcal

Description

Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Creamy Sauce is one of the most beloved Italian-American comfort food dishes. It combines tender pieces of chicken with al dente pasta, all tossed in a rich, velvety sauce made from butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Chicken Alfredo Pasta:

• 300 g (10 oz)
• 2 chicken breasts (about 400 g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Alfredo Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup whole milk (optional, for lighter sauce)
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional, adds warmth)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the Pasta : Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 300 g of fettuccine pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain the rest, and set aside.
2. Step 2: Cook the Chicken : Season 2 sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken strips until golden brown and fully cooked (about 5–6 minutes). Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce : In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup milk. Simmer gently for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (optional).
4. Step 4: Combine Everything : Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
5. Step 5: Serve : Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately while hot.

Keywords: Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Creamy Sauce