Silky Homemade Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe For Family Dinners

Creamy chicken alfredo pasta brings comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal effort.

Smooth parmesan sauce coats tender pasta strands perfectly.

Succulent chicken pieces complement the rich, velvety texture.

Home cooks adore this classic Italian-American dish for its simplicity and incredible flavor profile.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of herbs and cream.

Quick preparation means you can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques.

Indulge in this mouthwatering pasta that will surely become your new weeknight favorite.

What Makes Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta So Good

• Craft Gourmet Comfort: Create a restaurant-quality dish right in your kitchen without needing professional culinary skills.
• Master Versatile Meal: Adaptable for date nights, family dinners, or casual gatherings with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Swap chicken for shrimp or add vegetables to personalize the recipe and suit different dietary preferences or pantry contents.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a delicious, satisfying meal in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking tasty solutions.

Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta Must-Haves

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that serves as the primary source of meat in this Italian-style pasta dish.

• Fettuccine: A classic long, flat pasta that perfectly captures and holds the creamy Alfredo sauce.

• Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: A rich and luxurious combination that creates the signature smooth and velvety Alfredo sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a deep, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the chicken and sauce.
• Nutmeg: A subtle spice that provides a warm, slightly sweet undertone to the creamy sauce.

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking the chicken and adding a light, fruity base to the skillet.
• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, herbaceous flavor to the finished dish.

Cooking Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta Made Simple

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook fettuccine in a large pot of salted boiling water until perfectly tender. Drain the pasta, but save about half a cup of pasta water for later use. This water will help create a silky sauce.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from pan and let it rest briefly before slicing into delicious strips.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic

In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook quickly. Be careful not to burn – you want a fragrant, golden result that will make your kitchen smell amazing.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Simmer gently and stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a smooth, luxurious sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, slowly add reserved pasta water to reach the perfect consistency.

Step 5: Enhance Sauce Flavor

Stir in a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to make the sauce absolutely delicious.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Toss the cooked fettuccine into the creamy sauce, ensuring every single noodle gets beautifully coated with the rich Alfredo sauce.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Serve immediately and enjoy this classic Italian-inspired comfort meal!

Best Tips For Creamy Alfredo Pasta

• Prevent Sauce Separation: Keep the heat low when adding Parmesan to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency without curdling.
• Save Pasta Water Wisely: Reserve starchy pasta water before draining to help thin and bind the sauce if it becomes too thick.
• Season Chicken Strategically: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help create a golden, crispy exterior when searing in the skillet.
• Control Garlic Carefully: Sauté minced garlic quickly and watch closely to prevent burning, which can make the sauce bitter.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve the perfect creamy texture without making the sauce too runny.

Ways To Customize Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta

• Vegetarian Alfredo Pasta: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or grilled portobello mushrooms for a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta instead of traditional fettuccine to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Lighter Cream Sauce Option: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt and low-fat milk for a healthier, lower-calorie version that still maintains creamy texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, and swap Parmesan for feta cheese to create a zesty Mediterranean-inspired variation.

What Goes Well With Alfredo Pasta

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio that complements the creamy alfredo sauce, cutting through its richness with bright, refreshing notes.
• Enhance Flavor Companions: Serve alongside a light Caesar salad or roasted asparagus to balance the pasta's decadent texture and add a fresh vegetable element to the meal.
• Bread Basket Boost: Offer warm, crusty garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the extra alfredo sauce, providing a delightful textural contrast and additional flavor depth.
• Drink Alternative: For non-wine drinkers, try a cold, light Italian pilsner or sparkling water with a slice of lemon to cleanse the palate between creamy bites.

Storing Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta The Easy Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken and pasta remain fresh and safe to eat.
• Transfer the pasta to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Pasta with cream-based sauces might slightly separate when thawed, but a quick stir will help restore texture.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to revive the creamy sauce, stirring gently to prevent sticking and maintain moisture.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel.

Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pasta instead of fettuccine?

Yes, you can substitute fettuccine with other long pasta like linguine or spaghetti. Just cook it al dente for the best texture.

• Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms. The creamy Alfredo sauce will still be delicious.

• What if I don't have Parmesan cheese?

You can use alternatives like pecorino romano, asiago, or even a blend of hard cheeses. Each will add a slightly different flavor profile to the sauce.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

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

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Description

Indulgent chicken alfredo pasta whisks home cooks straight to creamy Italian comfort, blending rich parmesan sauce with tender chicken and perfectly al dente noodles. Rich flavors and silky textures invite you to savor each delicious, comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Protein:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine pasta
• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dairy and Cream Components:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (100 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Garnishes:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Freshly cracked black pepper (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Boil fettuccine in salted water at 212°F for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente. Carefully reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat (375°F) for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and rest for 3 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
3. In the same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic for 30-45 seconds, ensuring it doesn’t brown or burn, releasing its aromatic essence.
4. Pour heavy cream into the skillet and simmer for 3-4 minutes at medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes silky and smooth.
5. Adjust sauce consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time. Add nutmeg for depth, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Gently fold cooked fettuccine into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated with the Alfredo mixture.
7. Plate the pasta in warm dishes, arranging sliced chicken on top. Finish with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper for a vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version that’s equally creamy and satisfying.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish celiac-friendly without compromising the rich, luxurious texture.
• Keep extra pasta water handy as a secret weapon for controlling sauce consistency and preventing clumping.
• Experiment with different cheese variations like pecorino or asiago to add unique flavor depth and personal flair.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg