Silky Homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe for Comfort

Whipping up a dreamy chicken fettuccine alfredo brings pure comfort to your dinner table.

Creamy sauce coats each strand of pasta like a luxurious blanket.

Tender chicken pieces nestle between silky noodles, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Home cooks can master this classic Italian-inspired dish with just a few simple ingredients.

Rich parmesan and smooth cream transform ordinary pasta into something magical.

Cheese lovers will find themselves swooning over every decadent bite.

We promise this recipe will become your new go-to meal for impressive yet effortless dining.

Reasons To Love Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• Savor Restaurant-Quality Delight: Recreate a professional chef-level dish right in your kitchen with professional techniques and gourmet ingredients.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn professional searing, sauce-making, and pasta-cooking skills that elevate your culinary confidence with straightforward steps.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Deliver a classic Italian-inspired meal that appeals to both kids and adults, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Easily swap chicken for shrimp, add vegetables, or experiment with different cheese combinations to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

What’s In Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that provides a hearty and satisfying element to the creamy pasta dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: A hard Italian cheese that adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxuriously smooth and rich base for the Alfredo sauce.
• Cream Cheese: Contributes to the sauce's velvety texture and adds a subtle tangy flavor.
• Butter: Provides a rich, smooth foundation for sautéing and enhancing the sauce's depth.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
• Garlic: Adds a warm, aromatic base that complements the creamy sauce.
• Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, warm background note that elevates the sauce's complexity.
• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, clean flavor to the finished dish.

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

Steps To Make Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Searing

Season chicken breasts with a generous sprinkle of salt and black pepper, creating a flavorful foundation for your dish.

Step 2: Cook Chicken to Golden Perfection

Fire up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until it develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, which typically takes about 6-7 minutes per side.

Step 3: Rest and Slice Chicken

Transfer chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken into delicate, thin strips that will beautifully integrate with the pasta.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Garlic Base

Using the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant and turns a light golden color, releasing its delightful aroma.

Step 5: Develop Creamy Sauce Foundation

Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent any scorching. Bring the mixture to a gentle, bubbling simmer.

Step 6: Transform Sauce to Velvety Smoothness

• Cream cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Continue whisking until the ingredients meld into a luxuriously smooth sauce.

Step 7: Elevate Sauce Flavor Profile

Sprinkle in nutmeg, additional salt, and pepper to deepen the sauce’s complexity and taste.

Step 8: Cook Pasta to Al Dente Perfection

Boil fettuccine in a large pot of salted water until it reaches the ideal al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Step 9: Marry Pasta with Creamy Sauce

Fold the cooked pasta into the velvety sauce, ensuring each strand becomes gloriously coated.

Step 10: Integrate Chicken

Gently fold sliced chicken into the pasta mixture, warming it through for 1-2 minutes.

Step 11: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and an extra dusting of parmesan cheese. Serve piping hot and enjoy your culinary masterpiece.

Top Tips For Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• Choose High-Quality Chicken: Select fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender and flavorful results.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cream cheese and parmesan slowly over medium heat to create a smooth, creamy sauce without curdling.
• Master the Perfect Sear: Pat chicken dry before seasoning and use a hot skillet to achieve a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce for a subtle, sophisticated background note that elevates the entire dish.
• Keep Pasta Al Dente: Cook fettuccine just until firm to the bite, ensuring it maintains a perfect texture when mixed with the rich, creamy sauce.

Different Takes On Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• Spicy Southwestern Kick: Replace parsley with chopped cilantro and add diced green chiles and cayenne pepper to create a zesty southwestern version of the classic dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh basil for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that transforms the traditional recipe.
• Mushroom Truffle Elegance: Sauté wild mushrooms like porcini or shiitake and drizzle truffle oil for an earthy, luxurious upgrade to the classic chicken alfredo.
• Seafood Switch-Up: Substitute chicken with sautéed shrimp or scallops, adding a delicate seafood element that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.

Perfect Pairings With Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp Chardonnay with buttery notes that complement the creamy alfredo sauce, cutting through its richness while enhancing the chicken's delicate flavor.
• Herbal Garnish Boost: Sprinkle fresh basil or thyme alongside the parsley to introduce a bright, aromatic layer that lifts the heavy cream sauce and adds complexity to each bite.
• Crunchy Side Companion: Serve with toasted garlic bread or a simple Caesar salad to provide textural contrast against the smooth pasta, creating a balanced and satisfying meal experience.
• Acidic Balance Element: Add a small side of roasted cherry tomatoes or a light lemon vinaigrette salad to help cut through the sauce's richness and refresh the palate between bites.

How To Keep Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Fresh

• Transfer leftover chicken fettuccine alfredo to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the creamy texture intact.
• Carefully pack the dish in a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 2 months to preserve its delicious flavors.
• Warm refrigerated pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce's smooth consistency and prevent drying out.
• Store sauce and pasta separately when possible to maintain optimal texture, mixing them fresh when ready to reheat and serve.

FAQs About Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. They cook evenly, absorb seasonings well, and provide lean protein for the dish.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

While fettuccine is traditional, you can substitute with linguine or penne. Just ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to maintain the right texture.

• Is there a way to make the sauce less heavy?

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or replace some cream with chicken broth to reduce overall richness. You can also use reduced-fat cream cheese.

• How do I prevent the sauce from becoming grainy?

Whisk the cheese slowly and steadily over medium-low heat. Add cheese gradually and ensure it melts completely before adding more to maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken fettuccine alfredo brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with its luxurious blend of tender pasta and rich, velvety sauce. Parmesan-coated chicken nestled in silky noodles promises a satisfying meal that will delight your taste buds.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 lb fettuccine pasta
• 2 cups heavy cream

Dairy:

• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup cream cheese

Seasonings and Extras:

• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper, preparing for a flavorful sear.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
3. Remove chicken from skillet, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute.
5. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent scorching, and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Incorporate cream cheese and parmesan, whisking until smooth and completely melted, creating a rich, creamy sauce.
7. Add nutmeg and additional salt and pepper to enhance the sauce’s depth of flavor.
8. Cook fettuccine in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain.
9. Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated.
10. Gently fold sliced chicken into the pasta mixture, warming through for 1-2 minutes.
11. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Notes

• Choose chicken breasts with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and enhance surface caramelization.
• Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for superior melting and richer flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
• Reduce sauce’s heaviness by substituting half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream, creating a lighter version without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 1000 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 70 g
• Saturated Fat: 40 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 80 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 250 mg