Description
A creamy and delicious Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo recipe featuring tender chicken breast strips and rich Parmesan Alfredo sauce tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta. This classic Italian-American dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: Reduce heat to low in the same skillet. Add butter and allow it to melt completely before slowly pouring in the heavy cream. Whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Add seasonings and cheese: Gradually mix in the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts and the Alfredo sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet, stirring well to coat them evenly with the Alfredo sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained fettuccine pasta to the skillet. Use tongs to gently toss the pasta with the chicken and sauce until everything is thoroughly combined and heated through.
- Serve: Plate the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but expect a less rich sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and a smoother sauce texture.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through completely to avoid any food safety issues.
- If sauce is too thick, thin with a little pasta water or milk to desired consistency.
- Fresh garlic can be used instead of garlic powder for a stronger flavor.
- Allow pasta to retain some bite by not overcooking it to mush.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, creamy pasta recipe, easy Italian dinner, chicken pasta, Alfredo sauce
