What ingredients do I need to make creamy chicken Alfredo pasta?

To make creamy chicken Alfredo pasta, you need boneless chicken breasts, fettuccine pasta, butter, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also include olive oil for cooking the chicken and fresh parsley for garnish. Using fresh Parmesan and cooking the sauce gently will give the best creamy texture and rich flavor.

How do I cook chicken perfectly for Alfredo pasta?

To cook chicken for Alfredo pasta, season boneless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat, then cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Let it rest a few minutes, then slice thinly before adding to the pasta and sauce. This ensures tender, juicy chicken that complements the creamy sauce.

Can I make chicken Alfredo pasta without heavy cream?

Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with alternatives like half-and-half, whole milk combined with a bit of flour to thicken, or non-dairy options such as coconut milk or soya single cream. Keep in mind these substitutes may slightly change the sauce’s texture or flavor. For a lighter dish, using Greek yogurt or a blend of cream cheese and milk can also work but add these carefully to avoid curdling.

What is the best way to reheat leftover chicken Alfredo pasta?

To reheat chicken Alfredo pasta, place leftovers in a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce and stir gently to prevent curdling. Heat slowly until warmed through, avoiding high heat which can cause the sauce to separate. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to maintain creamy consistency.

What pasta type works best with chicken Alfredo sauce?

Fettuccine is the traditional and most popular pasta choice for chicken Alfredo sauce because its flat, wide shape holds the rich cream sauce well. Tagliatelle is a good alternative with a similar shape. However, you can also use penne, linguine, or spaghetti based on personal preference. Just ensure the pasta is cooked al dente, so it has the right texture to complement the creamy sauce.

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe For Quick Dinner

Name: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 500 grams (1 lb) large chicken breasts or skinless boneless thighs; Salt and pepper to season; ½ tablespoon olive oil for frying; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 500 ml (2 cups) heavy cream or single cream; 50 grams (½ cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional); 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley for garnish; 300 grams (10 ½ oz) fettuccine or tagliatelle pasta (dried); 1 teaspoon salt for pasta water

Description

🍗 Create a restaurant-quality creamy Alfredo pasta in just 20 minutes that’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners
🍝 Enjoy tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, velvety sauce that will satisfy the whole family

Ingredients

Scale

500 grams (1 lb) large chicken breasts or skinless boneless thighs

Salt and pepper to season

½ tablespoon olive oil for frying

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

3 garlic cloves, minced

500 ml (2 cups) heavy cream or single cream

50 grams (½ cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley for garnish

300 grams (10 ½ oz) fettuccine or tagliatelle pasta (dried)

1 teaspoon salt for pasta water

Instructions

1-Slice each chicken breast partially along the side, then open and flatten gently. Season well with salt and pepper.

2-Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken breasts until golden and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes), aiming for an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). Let the chicken rest, then slice diagonally.

3-Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just before al dente, about one minute less than package instructions.

4-Reduce skillet heat to medium-low, melt butter, then sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

5-Pour in the cream and simmer gently, stirring in salt and optional garlic powder.

6-Add the sliced chicken and Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until the cheese melts. Stir in the chopped parsley.

7-Drain pasta, reserving some cooking water. Combine pasta with the sauce, adding reserved water to loosen the sauce if necessary.

8-Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, garnish with extra parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

🧂 Use salted water for cooking pasta to enhance flavor from within the noodles
🧀 Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties
⏰ Cook pasta just before al dente since it will continue cooking in the hot sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 949
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 1553mg
Fat: 59g
Saturated Fat: 34g
Unsaturated Fat: 22g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 61g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 44g
Cholesterol: 270mg

Keywords: Chicken Alfredo, Creamy Pasta, Quick Dinner, Alfredo Recipe