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Creamy Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Creamy Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta
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Creamy Italian Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a comforting and elegant dish featuring tender chicken breast, perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta, and a rich, velvety homemade Alfredo sauce. This classic recipe is easy to prepare, protein-packed, and customizable, making it a family favorite for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta

  • 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
  • Salt (for pasta water)

Alfredo Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Additional salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish (optional)

  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water for later use.
  3. Make the Alfredo Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet used for the chicken. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly, and let it simmer gently to thicken. Gradually whisk in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is silky and smooth.
  4. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and gently mix everything to coat each strand with the creamy Alfredo sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  5. Final Touches: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for color and herbal freshness. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest sauce.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture balances the creamy sauce well.
  • Choose fresh chicken breast for juicier and more flavorful meat.
  • Simmer the sauce gently to avoid curdling or burning.
  • Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce without diluting flavor.
  • To make gluten-free, substitute pasta with gluten-free varieties and verify all ingredients accordingly.
  • For lighter sauce, replace half the heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
  • Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave with a splash of cream or milk to maintain creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian, Chicken Alfredo, Pasta, Creamy, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/creamy-italian-chicken-alfredo-pasta/