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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

5 from 101 reviews

A classic Chicken Alfredo recipe featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts served over perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta, all coated in a rich, creamy Parmesan Alfredo sauce made from heavy cream, butter, and garlic. This comforting Italian-American dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a hearty dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 16 ounces dry fettuccine pasta

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Alfredo Sauce

  • 1/2 cup butter (cut into large cubes or slices)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Make the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente according to package directions, usually about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta well and set aside.
  2. Make the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet until shimmering. Swirl to coat the pan. Add the chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until the underside is golden-brown. Flip the chicken, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan, swirl to distribute, and continue cooking another 5-7 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  4. Rest and slice the chicken: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 3 minutes. Slice the chicken into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Tent with foil to keep warm.
  5. Prepare the Alfredo sauce: In the same skillet over medium-low heat, add the 1/2 cup of butter and heavy cream. Whisk continuously until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.
  6. Season the sauce: Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the cream mixture. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
  7. Simmer the sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, being careful not to boil. Cook for 3-4 minutes, whisking constantly, until the sauce begins to thicken.
  8. Add the cheese: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta cooking water, a few tablespoons at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
  9. Assemble the dish: Remove the sauce from heat and immediately toss with the cooked fettuccine noodles to coat them evenly.
  10. Serve: Divide the pasta among serving bowls, top with sliced chicken breasts, and garnish with fresh parsley, additional Parmesan cheese, and black pepper if desired.

Notes

  • Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if necessary.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but sauce may be less rich.
  • You can add steamed vegetables like broccoli for extra nutrition and color.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smoothest sauce.

Keywords: Chicken Alfredo, Fettuccine Alfredo, Creamy Pasta, Italian Dinner, Parmesan Sauce