Chicken Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender, juicy chicken in a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce. The creamy sauce, made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, envelops the chicken and pasta in a luscious, velvety coating that’s utterly satisfying. This dish is the perfect balance of flavors – savory, cheesy, and indulgent, making it a family favorite for cozy weeknight dinners or a comforting meal to serve to guests.
The base of Chicken Alfredo is a rich, creamy sauce that is simple to make yet bursting with flavor. To make the sauce, butter is melted in a pan and then combined with heavy cream, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The result is a smooth, silky sauce that clings to the pasta and chicken. The key to a good Alfredo sauce is not rushing the cooking process, allowing the cream to reduce and thicken helps to create that indulgent, creamy texture we love in this dish.
The chicken is typically seasoned with salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic before being sautéed to golden brown perfection. This gives it a flavorful, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Slicing the chicken into strips or cubes allows it to integrate seamlessly with the pasta and sauce, making every bite full of flavor.
For the pasta, fettuccine is the traditional choice, but you can also use other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni depending on your preference. The pasta is cooked al dente and tossed with the creamy Alfredo sauce and chicken, making each bite perfectly coated in the delicious sauce.
Chicken Alfredo can be customized to your liking. For added richness, you can stir in a little more cheese or even a spoonful of cream cheese for extra creaminess. If you prefer a little freshness to balance the richness, toss in some fresh spinach, peas, or broccoli. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or some freshly cracked black pepper can add a bit of spice.
This dish is best served hot and fresh, with a side of garlic bread or a crisp green salad to cut through the richness of the sauce. Whether it’s a family dinner or a special treat, Chicken Alfredo is a dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking the chicken
- 2 units chicken breasts boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup heavy cream as part of the sauce
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated, for the sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted, for the sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- to taste Salt and pepper for seasoning
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the butter and garlic. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Add the cooked fettuccine pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Serve the Chicken Alfredo hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
Nutrition
Simple and classic! But please, don’t call it real italian. It’s not REAL alfredo without eggs!!
I followed the recipe exactly but the sauce was too thick and kinda bland. Next time I’ll add more seasoning.
I totally get it! Sometimes sauces can really depend on the brand of ingredients you use. Try different seasonings next time, maybe even a pinch of nutmeg? It can give it a nice flavor boost. 😊
Honestly, I think the recipe might be off. Alfredo is usually just cheese and cream, not much else! Maybe it’s just a bad recipe? 🤷♂️
First time making Alfredo and it turned out great! Simple steps and yummy flavor.
So glad to hear it turned out great! Alfredo is my favorite. Do you have any tips for making it even creamier?
This was super delicious! My whole family loved it. 5 stars for sure! Will make again.
Yummmy!! Made it for my kids, they devoured it! Definitely a keeper recipe! 👍🏼
I didn’t think it would be that easy to make Alfredo, but wow! Thanks for sharing!
I don’t understand why it needs so much cream. Can it be made lighter?
You could try using half and half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version. Still creamy, just less calories!
The cream and cheese were wayyy too heavy. Next time, I’ll try low-fat options?
Just OK. I burnt the garlic and the cream curdled. 😕 Not sure if I’ll make it again.
Sorry to hear that! Garlic can be tricky, I always burn it too if I’m not careful. Maybe try roasting it next time? 😅
This was sooo good! I can’t believe how easy it was to make. My family loved it! 🍝❤️
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites too! 😊
Easy? Really? I found it a bit tricky. Maybe I’m just not that good at cooking.
Chicken alfredo? More like chicken yuck!! Not a fan. Sorry, but this was bad.
Chicken Alfredo is a classic! Maybe you just didn’t give it a fair shot? It’s all about the flavors, you know?
Yum!!! Love this, went easy on the cheese but still super tasty.
Awesome! I thought the cheese was the best part. Glad you made it work!
I dunno, less cheese sounds weird. Isn’t Alfredo supposed to be cheesy? 🤔
This was the best Chicken Alfredo I’ve ever made! My family loved it. I added broccoli for some crunch.
Sounds delicious! I’ll have to try it with broccoli like you did. I never thought of adding veggies to Alfredo.
Is there a way to make this healthier? I don’t want to gain weight!
Easy peasy! I substituted half the cheese with ricotta and it turned out great!
Excellent recipe. I followed the instructions accurately, and added some steamed broccoli as a side dish. Everything was deilicous and was a family crowd pleaser!
So glad to hear it was a hit! Adding broccoli sounds like a yummy idea! Will definitely try that next time.
It was ok, but I wish the sauce was thicker. I added more cheese, but it didn’t help much.
I found the sauce pretty good! Maybe let it cook longer to thicken? Just a thought!
Is it really Alfredo if there are no, like, Italian spices? Just asking.
Delish!
Looks good but I have a question. Can I use cream cheese instead of heavy cream?
I made this last night and my family loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Too much garlic for my taste. Next time I’ll use just one clove.
This Chicken Alfredo was a hit at our dinner! Everyone loved it!
Alfredo should have cream and cheese! This is a classic!
I think this is how you get heart disease. Way too much butter and cream, c’mon people!
I get what you’re saying, but everything in moderation! This dish is a classic for a reason. 😋
This is way too rich for my taste. I felt like I was eating butter straight up.
Wow! So creamy and rich! I added some broccoli to it too and it was great! 😍
So easy to make but I forgot the garlic! Still tasted good tho.
Did anyone else think this needed more garlic? I could barely taste it.
I totally agree! I love garlic and could use a lot more, maybe even 4 cloves? Why not, right?
I dunno, I thought it was fine. Maybe garlic isn’t for everyone? 🤷♂️
I thought fettuccine was a city in Italy? Why would they name the pasta after a place?
Actually, fettuccine is a type of pasta, not a city! It’s made from flour and water, so they named it after the way it’s made. It’s delicious, though!
Yuck! I burnt the chicken and it ruined the whole dish. Never again!
Nice but could use more salt. Don’t forget the parsley!
Not sure if it was my fault or the recipe but it burned on the bottom! Definitely needs more steps for beginners.
I just used macaroni instead, tastes the same right? My kids ate it!
I don’t get why you need so much cream… It made it too rich for my taste. I prefer a lighter alfredo sauce.
Yum! So creamy! Perfect for date night! Definitely a keeper!
This recipe was soooo good! My family loved it! Definitely making it again.
Chicken? Where’s the chicken? I mixed it up and didn’t even realize till I tasted it. LOL
I mean, you can’t really blame the chicken for not being there. I forget ingredients all the time too! 😂
Haha, that’s funny! But seriously, you should def put chicken in your Alfredo. It’s a must!
Pretty good, but I felt like it needed more flavor. Next time, maybe I’ll try adding some Italian seasoning.
I think adding Italian seasoning is a great idea! It adds a nice kick to the dish. 😊
This Chicken Alfredo is a game changer! So creamy and delicious! My family loved it!
Glad to hear that! It’s been a hit in my house too. Can’t get enough of that creamy sauce! 😊
Chicken alfredo is supposed to have chicken in it, right? I made one without and it was still tasty!
Had to improvise with the ingredients because I ran out of parmesan! Used cheddar instead, still turned out fine 😂.
Cheddar instead of parmesan? That’s bold! 😂 Might try that too if I run out next time. Glad it worked for you!
Eh, it was okay. My chicken was a bit dry. Maybe I cooked it too long.
Best recipe ever! Stuff like this is why I love cooking at home! 😊
Thank you! I love this recipe too! Cooking at home is the best! 🍽️
So good! I added broccoli for extra veggies! Will make again!
I dunno, adding broccoli seems weird to me. Isn’t it too crunchy? 🤔
Broccoli in Alfredo? That’s different! But hey, whatever works for ya! 🌼
Simple but soooo good!!! My kids clean their plates every time I make this!
This is my go-to recipe for Chicken Alfredo! It’s so creamy and delicious! My family loves it.
I followed the recipe but it turned out too salty, maybe less salt next time?
Chicken Alfredo is the best! But where’s the broccoli? You always put broccoli in Alfredo 🥦
Can I use frozen chicken? Didn’t have fresh, thought about tryin that.
Too much cream. It felt heavy. I like my pasta lighter.
I get what you’re saying! Maybe try a lighter sauce next time, like olive oil and lemon? Much fresher!