Chicken Alfredo – Creamy, Comforting & Better Than Takeout!
Craving a restaurant-quality meal without the hefty price tag?
This Chicken Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food—featuring golden pan-seared chicken, perfectly cooked fettuccine, and a luxuriously creamy homemade Alfredo sauce.
Made with simple pantry staples, it’s quick, easy, and unbelievably delicious—all in just 33 minutes!
If you’ve ever wanted that rich, velvety Alfredo, but better and fresher than takeout, this is the one.
Bonus: It tastes even better the next day!
Let’s make it.
For the Chicken
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless and skinless, these are perfect for this creamy dish. You can substitute with thighs if you prefer dark meat.
- Italian Seasoning – A flavorful mix of herbs that brings a subtle Mediterranean twist.
- Salt and Pepper – Basic seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
- Olive Oil – Used for frying the chicken, giving it a crispy golden exterior.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps to finish cooking the chicken to perfection.
For the Alfredo Sauce
- Butter – Provides the creamy base for the sauce.
- Heavy Cream – Gives the sauce its rich, velvety texture.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic adds aromatic depth to the sauce.
- Garlic Powder – A little extra garlic flavor for balance.
- Italian Seasoning – To tie the sauce together with a perfect blend of herbs.
- Salt and Pepper – To season the sauce and elevate all the flavors.
Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated for a smooth, cheesy finish that makes the sauce perfectly creamy.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 16 ounces fettuccine pasta
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Alfredo Sauce
- ½ cup butter (cut into cubes)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente (approximately 10 minutes).
- Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken
- Season chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add chicken and cook undisturbed for 5–7 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken, add butter, and continue cooking for another 5–7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board, let it rest for 3 minutes, then slice into ½-inch thick pieces. Cover loosely with foil.
Make the Alfredo Sauce
- In the same pan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
- Stir in the heavy cream and whisk until combined.
- Add garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Let the sauce gently simmer for 3–4 minutes, whisking constantly until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes smooth.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Assemble the Dish
- Remove the sauce from heat and toss with cooked fettuccine.
- Divide among plates and top with sliced chicken.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, additional Parmesan, and black pepper if desired.
1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While fettuccine is the classic choice, feel free to swap it out for penne, spaghetti, or even rigatoni. Just make sure to cook it according to the package instructions for perfect results.
2. How can I make the sauce thicker?
If the sauce is too thin for your liking, you can thicken it by adding a small amount of cornstarch. Mix it with a little pasta water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce until it thickens to your preference.
3. Can I skip the frying and use pre-cooked chicken?
You bet! If you’re short on time, you can absolutely use pre-cooked chicken, like rotisserie chicken. Just heat it in the sauce before tossing it with the pasta for a quicker, easier meal.
4. My sauce seems to be separating. What can I do?
To keep your sauce nice and smooth, make sure you’re cooking it over low heat and avoid boiling it. Once the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth, take it off the heat promptly for the best consistency.
5. Can I add veggies or other proteins to this?
Yes, feel free to mix it up! Add veggies like spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrition. You can also toss in some cooked shrimp, or grilled chicken to make it even heartier.
