Chicken fettuccine Alfredo

Chicken fettuccine Alfredo

30 min
This homemade chicken fettuccine Alfredo combines golden-brown chicken with fettuccine and a smooth, cheesy white sauce. Perfect for a casual dinner or a festive occasion, our recipe is the ultimate feel-good comfort food. You will not be able to resist going back for another bite. Top with fresh parsley and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to perfectly complement the Parmesan-infused creamy sauce and silky fettuccine.
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Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions and set aside, saving 1 cup of pasta water for later use in the sauce.
Alfredo sauce
  • Cut the chicken breasts into about ½ cm thin slices and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Add butter and olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until it is cooked through and has a light golden colour, about 4–5 minutes.
  • Add cooking cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.
  • Add the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese and cook for 2 minutes. If needed, add some of the saved pasta water to thin the sauce.
  • Add chopped parsley and stir well.
To serve
  • Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about chicken fettuccine Alfredo

You can easily make a delicious chicken fettuccine Alfredo. Let our answers to common questions below help you master this creamy favourite.

Can I make chicken fettuccine Alfredo ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce and boiled pasta ahead of time. However, it is best to combine the pasta and sauce just before serving to maintain the best texture. If you need to make it in advance, store the sauce and pasta separately, then reheat and combine before serving.
What is the best way to store and reheat chicken fettuccine Alfredo leftovers?
We suggest enjoying this dish fresh, but you can store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Allow the dish to cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain the best texture. When reheating, warm the pasta gently in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens, add a bit of extra cooking cream or milk to restore its smoothness. Avoid the microwave's high settings, as this can cause the sauce to split and the chicken to become tough. You should also avoid freezing as it changes the texture and reduces the quality of the sauce and pasta.
How can I ensure my chicken Alfredo sauce is perfectly textured?
For a creamy Alfredo sauce, stir continuously as it cooks to prevent any lumps. If the sauce thickens too much, add a little of the pasta water you saved earlier to make it thinner. Keep tossing the pasta with the sauce; the pasta's starch will help thicken the sauce to the right consistency. If the sauce is still too thick after adding the pasta, mix in more pasta water until it is just right.

Ingredients

Fettuccine pasta
400 g
Alfredo sauce
Chicken breasts, boneless & skinless
400 g
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Garlic powder
1 tsp
Arla® LactoFREE Slightly Salted Spreadable
2 tbsp
Olive oil
2 tbsp
Cooking cream
1 l
Parmesan cheese, shredded (about 115 g)
1 cup
Pasta water (about 230 ml)
1 cup
Fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp
To serve
Fresh basil
Extra parmesan cheese

Tips: Get the best chicken fettuccine Alfredo

Have a look at these tips to take your chicken fettuccine Alfredo from good to great. With our tips in hand, you will surely make an impressive, tasty dish.

Make sure not to boil the cream

Bring the cream to a gentle simmer, not a boil, to prevent it from curdling or separating. Stir frequently to ensure even heating and to allow the cream to thicken slightly. This helps create a creamy, rich, cheesy sauce that melds beautifully with the Parmesan cheese, giving you the perfect creamy consistency for your Alfredo sauce.

Add Parmesan gradually for a smooth sauce

Add shredded Parmesan cheese slowly to the simmering cream, constantly stirring to ensure it melts evenly. Gradually adding the cheese prevents clumping and allows it to be fully incorporated into the cream. Opt for freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-grated varieties, as the latter often contains anti-caking agents that can cause lumps.

Enjoy our creamy chicken fettuccine Alfredo

Indulge in our luxurious chicken fettuccine Alfredo, where tender chicken meets a luscious Alfredo sauce; all enveloped in perfectly cooked al dente fettuccine. Topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan, it has your favourite Italian flavours in the simplest of forms. It is a quick, irresistible meal to cook for yourself, but it is also ideal for nice dinners with guests and special occasions.

Do you want to try other delicious pasta dishes for your next pasta craving? Try chicken pasta with béchamel sauce, butter chicken mac and cheese, and Pasta carbonara with crème fraîche.

With juicy and crispy chicken breast

Our recipe features thin slices of juicy chicken. Cooked in butter and oil until deliciously crisp and succulent, the chicken adds a delightful, satisfying bite that complements the creamy sauce. This combination makes every mouthful irresistible, infusing every bite with a savoury taste.

Velvety-smooth Parmesan and cream sauce

The star of this dish is the sauce. Made from cooking cream and grated Parmesan cheese, it adds a slightly salty depth, while freshly cracked black pepper provides a subtle spice. This cheesy sauce clings to every strand of fettuccine, creating a silky and indulgent experience that transports you to a traditional Italian trattoria or osteria on the sunny streets of an Italian city.

Discover a classic Italian dish with an American twist

We have added a creamy twist to the classic Italian dish, fettuccine Alfredo. The original version, crafted by Alfredo di Lelio in Rome, features just fettuccine, butter, and Parmesan cheese, exemplifying the Italian culinary tradition of using pure, high-quality ingredients. The cream-based version, known in the United States as chicken fettuccine Alfredo or simply chicken Alfredo, elevates the dish with a richer sauce. This American adaptation incorporates cream alongside butter and cheese and includes grilled or sautéed chicken, with additional seasonings like garlic, black pepper, and sometimes other herbs or spices. 

Today's creamy Alfredo sauce, while different from the Italian original, has become a classic in its own right. The combination of soft chicken, velvety sauce, and al dente pasta is one to beat. Chicken fettuccine Alfredo has become a household and restaurant favourite, showcasing how classic recipes can evolve into something equally delicious.

Add your own touch

Take your recipe to the next level with these inspiring and delicious variations. Replace the chicken with shrimp to add a delightful seafood twist that complements the rich, creamy sauce. You can also introduce an earthy flavour by adding sautéed mushrooms for a mushroom chicken Alfredo. Enhance the flavour by using freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder.

Brighten the sauce with a splash of lemon juice and zest, or infuse it with pesto for a fragrant, aromatic, herbal version. Combine the sauce with spinach for a green boost, or add thinly sliced zucchini sautéed with the chicken for a fresh, slightly crunchy texture. For a subtle, warm spice note, add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce.

If you love cheese-infused sauces, combine different cheeses. Try combinations like Parmesan for sharpness, mozzarella for creaminess, Gruyère for nuttiness, and fontina for smoothness. You can also try adding Gorgonzola for a tangy kick, Asiago for a bit of a bite, or ricotta for a creamier texture. You will get a deliciously complex sauce full of cheese that takes your Alfredo to a whole new level.