Description
This One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a creamy, comforting meal made with tender chicken breast, fettuccine, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. Cooked entirely in a single skillet, this recipe saves time and dishes without sacrificing flavor. It features succulent pan-seared chicken combined with a luxuriously cheesy sauce made from milk, cream, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan, garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 200 g / 7 oz chicken breast, cut in half horizontally
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 250 g / 8 oz fettuccine
- 2 cups milk (any fat percentage)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup thickened or heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Parsley, for garnish
- Extra freshly grated Parmesan (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor before cooking.
- Prepare the Skillet: Choose a skillet large enough to hold the pasta comfortably so it can cook evenly; this is essential since everything cooks in one pan.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are completely cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Once rested, slice the chicken while the pasta cooks.
- Add Liquids and Garlic: Into the same skillet, pour in milk, chicken broth, and add the minced garlic. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer to infuse the flavors and prepare for pasta cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the fettuccine to the simmering liquid. Stir the pasta every 30 seconds initially so it doesn’t stick together. Within about 3 minutes, the pasta will soften; then reduce heat to medium and continue to stir every couple of minutes to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese: After 9 to 10 minutes, when the pasta is almost cooked but liquid still remains, add the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer to Thicken Sauce: Let the sauce simmer for about 2 minutes while stirring occasionally until it thickens and the pasta is fully cooked. If the sauce becomes too thick or gluggy, add a small splash of hot tap water and toss gently to return to a silky texture.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the pasta and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a vibrant presentation and additional flavor.
Notes
- Note 1: Using heavy cream adds richness and helps create a creamy sauce, but you can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Note 2: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated and gives the sauce a more authentic taste, so avoid using pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Resting chicken after cooking helps retain moisture and makes slicing easier without juices running out.
- Stirring pasta frequently during cooking prevents it from sticking together or to the pan, ensuring even cooking.
- If the sauce thickens too much, adding a splash of hot water restores a smooth texture without diluting the flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: One Pot Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Pasta, Creamy Alfredo Pasta, Easy Chicken Dinner, Italian Pasta Recipes, One Pot Meals
