Description
Creamy chicken alfredo pasta blends Italian comfort with rich, velvety sauce and tender chicken. Parmesan cheese and herbs elevate this classic dish, promising a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts (1 pound or 454 grams)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) canola oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling and cook pasta until tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes. Reserve a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Season chicken pieces with kosher salt and cracked black pepper on both sides, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden brown and internally cooked to 165°F, about 6-7 minutes per side. Allow meat to rest for 3 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, approximately 30-45 seconds. Pour heavy cream and gradually whisk in grated parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Season sauce with ground nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add cooked pasta directly into the creamy sauce, tossing to ensure complete coating. If sauce seems too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Transfer pasta to serving plates, arrange sliced chicken on top, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, which helps create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
- Use heavy cream at room temperature to prevent sauce from breaking and ensure a consistent, creamy texture.
- Consider alternative protein options like grilled shrimp, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted vegetables for vegetarian adaptations.
- Quickly slice chicken against the grain while it’s warm to maintain maximum tenderness and prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg