Description
Classic Chicken Alfredo is a rich and creamy Italian pasta dish featuring tender, golden-brown chicken breasts served over fettuccine tossed in a homemade Parmesan cream sauce. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple ingredients like olive oil, garlic, chicken broth, whole milk, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese to create a flavorful, comforting meal perfect for any night.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 (6- to 8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 8 oz fettuccine
- 2 oz Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 cup)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Finely chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chicken breasts and season them with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 8 minutes per side). Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Prepare the sauce and pasta: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped garlic, low-sodium chicken broth, and whole milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Cook the fettuccine: Add the fettuccine to the simmering sauce and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce slightly reduces, about 3 minutes. Continue cooking, tossing occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, which will take 8 to 10 minutes more.
- Finish the Alfredo sauce: Stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and well combined. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes more.
- Combine and serve: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sliced chicken breasts. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and to ensure the sauce is smooth.
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing helps retain its juices and keep it tender.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the Alfredo sauce at its creamiest consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 787 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1141 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
