Name: Best Chicken Alfredo Recipe | Healthy & Delicious Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil; 10 oz (280g) fettuccine or linguine; 1 tsp salt (for boiling water); 1 stick (8 tbsp or 113g) unsalted butter; 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 1/4 cups (125g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Jump to Recipe

Chicken Alfredo is a classic comfort food that combines creamy, rich sauce with tender chicken and pasta. This Best Chicken Alfredo Recipe brings the best of both worlds: a healthy and delicious dish that you can easily make at home. With boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a homemade Alfredo sauce, and fettuccine pasta, this dish offers an irresistible balance of flavor and texture. The creamy, garlic-infused sauce complements the perfectly seasoned chicken, making each bite a satisfying experience. This recipe strikes the right balance between indulgence and nutrition, allowing you to enjoy a comforting, yet healthier, version of Chicken Alfredo. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this dish is sure to impress.

What sets this Chicken Alfredo apart is its simplicity. The Alfredo sauce is made from scratch using basic ingredients like butter, heavy cream, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. There are no shortcuts or artificial flavors—just wholesome ingredients that create a rich, velvety sauce. Paired with seasoned chicken breasts and tender pasta, this dish delivers that familiar, indulgent taste without feeling too heavy. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner or a meal to serve at your next gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Rich and Creamy Flavor

The homemade Alfredo sauce is rich, creamy, and flavorful, offering the perfect balance of butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.

2. Healthy Option

By using boneless, skinless chicken breasts and controlling the ingredients, you can enjoy a healthier version of this classic dish without sacrificing flavor.

3. Simple and Quick

This recipe is straightforward and quick, allowing you to create a comforting meal in under 30 minutes. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you want a comforting dinner in a short amount of time.

4. Customizable

Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli to customize your dish. You can easily adjust the recipe to fit your taste preferences.

5. Perfectly Balanced

The combination of perfectly seasoned chicken, homemade Alfredo sauce, and pasta creates a well-balanced meal that’s filling and satisfying without being too heavy.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper
Olive oil

For the Pasta:

Fettuccine or linguine
Salt (for boiling water)

For the Alfredo Sauce:

Unsalted butter
Heavy cream
Garlic (minced)
Italian seasoning
Salt
Black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Variations

Vegetarian Alfredo: Omit the chicken and add vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms for a flavorful vegetarian option.
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo: Add steamed broccoli to the pasta for extra color and nutrition.
Low-Carb Option: Substitute the pasta with zucchini noodles (zoodles) or spaghetti squash for a lower-carb alternative.
Garlic Butter Chicken Alfredo: Enhance the garlic flavor by adding extra garlic to the chicken before cooking, or sauté the chicken in garlic butter for added richness.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest before slicing it into strips.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.

Step 4: Prepare the Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Add Parmesan Cheese

Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Combine the Pasta and Sauce

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 7: Slice the Chicken

While the pasta is being tossed in the sauce, slice the cooked chicken into thin strips.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Plate the pasta, top with the sliced chicken, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Use Fresh Parmesan: Grate your own Parmesan cheese rather than using pre-grated cheese for the best texture and flavor.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Be careful not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy. Check the internal temperature to ensure it’s 165°F (75°C).
Reserve Pasta Water: Save a little pasta water before draining; it can be added to the sauce to help thin it out and bind it to the pasta.
Simmer the Sauce Gently: Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously, as this can cause the cream to separate. A gentle simmer will give the sauce the perfect creamy consistency.

How to Serve

Serve this creamy Chicken Alfredo with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad. The richness of the Alfredo sauce pairs wonderfully with a light salad, making it a complete meal. You can also offer additional grated Parmesan on the side for those who enjoy extra cheese.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Chicken Alfredo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce’s creaminess.

Freezing

Chicken Alfredo can be frozen for up to 2 months. Store in a freezer-safe container, but be aware that the sauce may separate upon reheating. To avoid this, you may want to freeze the sauce and pasta separately.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a little milk or cream to bring it back to the right consistency.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can use any pasta you like—linguine, penne, or spaghetti would all work well with this Alfredo sauce.

2. How can I make the sauce lighter?

For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or use a mixture of milk and cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

3. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked chicken to save time, but be sure to add it toward the end to heat through.

4. Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?

Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta in place of regular pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.

5. Can I make the Alfredo sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the Alfredo sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stovetop before serving.

6. How can I make the sauce richer?

To make the sauce richer, you can add more Parmesan cheese or a little more butter. Some people also add cream cheese for extra creaminess.

7. Can I add vegetables to this recipe?

Absolutely! You can add vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms for added texture and nutrition.

8. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs will work in this recipe as well. They may take a little longer to cook, so be sure to check for doneness.

9. How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) on a meat thermometer.

10. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

To make this recipe dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with dairy-free margarine, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and swap the Parmesan with a dairy-free cheese alternative.

Conclusion

This Best Chicken Alfredo Recipe is the perfect balance of creamy, flavorful sauce, tender chicken, and hearty pasta. It’s an easy-to-make, healthy, and delicious dish that the whole family will love. Whether you enjoy it with a side of vegetables or as is, this Chicken Alfredo will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Enjoy this classic dish with a homemade touch, and indulge without the guilt!