Forget takeout! This easy chicken alfredo recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen, and it’s ready in under 30 minutes. We’re talking tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked fettuccine tossed in a rich, velvety, and unbelievably creamy parmesan garlic sauce. This is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights when you need something delicious, fast.
You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to create a truly decadent pasta dish. This recipe focuses on simple, high-quality staples to build a sauce that’s miles ahead of anything you can buy in a jar. Get ready to impress your family with a new go-to dinner favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a game-changer for your weekly meal rotation. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:
Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for a hectic evening.
Unbelievably Creamy Sauce: We’ll show you the simple secret to a smooth, rich, and velvety alfredo sauce that perfectly coats every noodle without being grainy.
Simple, Everyday Ingredients: No need for a special trip to the store. This recipe uses pantry and fridge staples like chicken, pasta, cream, and parmesan.
Better Than a Restaurant: You control the quality, the flavor, and the creaminess. The result is a fresh, satisfying meal that easily rivals your favorite Italian restaurant.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Alfredo
The magic of this dish comes from using a few simple, high-quality ingredients. Using fresh components, especially the Parmesan, is the key to a flawless sauce.
Simple, high-quality ingredients are the key to a perfect alfredo sauce.
For the Chicken and Pasta
Chicken Breast: One pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast provides the perfect amount of lean protein. Cut it into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
Fettuccine: The classic pasta choice. Its wide, flat shape is ideal for holding onto the rich, creamy sauce.
Olive Oil & Butter: A combination for searing the chicken, providing flavor and preventing sticking.
Seasoning: Simple salt, black pepper, and garlic powder are all you need to make the chicken flavorful.
For the Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Heavy Cream: This is the foundation of the sauce. For the richest flavor and texture, do not substitute with milk or half-and-half.
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: This is non-negotiable! Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that will make your sauce grainy. Grate your own from a block for the smoothest results.
Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the sodium level. It adds richness and depth.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh, peppery flavor to cut through the richness.
How to Make the Best Chicken Alfredo Recipe
FL Recipes
Chicken Alfredo Recipe: The Ultimate 30-Minute Creamy Classic
This easy chicken alfredo recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal with tender chicken and a rich, velvety parmesan garlic sauce in under 30 minutes. The ultimate comfort food for a busy weeknight.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
While pasta cooks, pat chicken dry, cut into 1-inch cubes, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 4 tbsp of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Remove skillet from heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Add a splash of pasta water if too thick. Return cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet, toss to coat, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 850kcalProtein: 38gFat: 58gFiber: 2g
Notes
Do not use pre-shredded Parmesan: For the smoothest sauce, grate your own cheese from a block. Don't boil the sauce: Keep the heat low to prevent the cream from separating. Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream for best results.
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a perfect plate of creamy pasta in no time. The key is to have your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Just before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Chicken
While the pasta is cooking, pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Step 3: Build the Alfredo Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer (do not boil) and let it cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Step 4: Finish the Sauce and Combine
Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a small handful at a time, whisking continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and a generous amount of black pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Return the cooked chicken and drained fettuccine to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated in the glorious sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Dinner is served! The perfect bowl of creamy chicken alfredo.
Pro Tips for a Flawless, Creamy Sauce
Achieving a perfectly smooth alfredo sauce is easy when you know these simple tricks. Say goodbye to grainy sauce forever!
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: This is the most important tip. Bagged, pre-shredded cheeses have additives that prevent them from melting smoothly. A block of Parmigiano-Reggiano is your best friend here.
Low and Slow Heat: Never boil the cream or the final sauce. High heat can cause the cream to separate and the cheese to become oily and grainy. Keep the heat on medium-low.
Add Cheese Off the Heat: Remove the skillet from the heat before you start adding the cheese. This gentle, residual heat is enough to melt it perfectly without scorching it.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allowing your cream and butter to come to room temperature can help everything emulsify more smoothly.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
While this classic chicken alfredo recipe is amazing as is, it’s also a fantastic base for creativity. Similar to a classic chicken scampi (coming soon), it’s easy to customize.
Add Some Veggies
Stir in some steamed broccoli florets, fresh spinach (it will wilt right into the sauce), or sautéed mushrooms for an extra dose of nutrients and flavor.
Spice It Up
For a kick of heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the garlic. You can also turn this into a Cajun chicken alfredo by adding a tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to the chicken.
This dish is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides to round it out.
Garlic Bread: A must-have for soaking up any extra alfredo sauce on your plate.
Simple Green Salad: A fresh salad with a light vinaigrette provides a perfect, crisp contrast to the rich, creamy pasta.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli or asparagus adds a nice texture and flavor to the meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Have leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The best way to reheat chicken alfredo is gently on the stovetop. Place the leftovers in a skillet over low heat and add a splash of milk or cream. Stir frequently until warmed through. This helps restore the sauce’s creamy consistency, as microwaving can cause it to separate.
The key is to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese from a block, not pre-shredded cheese. Also, use low heat and add the cheese after you’ve removed the pan from the heat to allow it to melt gently without separating.
Absolutely! While fettuccine is classic, this sauce is also delicious with penne, linguine, or any pasta shape that has ridges or surfaces to hold the creamy sauce well.
For the best results, reheat it slowly in a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of milk or heavy cream and stir gently until it’s warmed through. This will help the sauce return to its original creamy consistency.
Alfredo sauce is best served immediately after it’s made for the creamiest texture. However, you can cook the chicken ahead of time to save a few minutes on prep.
This recipe is a great base for additions! Try adding steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat. A dash of nutmeg in the sauce also adds a classic, warm flavor.
More Classic Italian-American Dinners
We hope you love this easy and creamy chicken alfredo recipe as much as we do! It proves that a show-stopping dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. If you enjoyed this dish, you’ll also love our classic chicken parmesan recipe.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out! And don’t forget to save it to your favorite dinner board on Pinterest!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
