Description
A creamy, indulgent dish that combines tender chicken breasts with rich, velvety Alfredo sauce and perfectly cooked fettuccine. This Classic Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a timeless comfort food favorite that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces dried fettuccine pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) European-style unsalted butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (2 1/2 ounces), plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest before slicing into strips.
- In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the heavy cream to the skillet, bringing it to a simmer. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the freshly grated nutmeg. Let the cream simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked fettuccine to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Slice the cooked chicken breasts and arrange them on top of the pasta.
- Garnish with coarsely chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though it may slightly affect the creaminess.
- For a more intense flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of truffle oil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American