Velvety Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Creamy Dream: Homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Creamy, indulgent chicken fettuccine alfredo satisfies every comfort food craving with its rich, luxurious sauce.

Pasta lovers adore this classic Italian-American dish that blends tender chicken and silky noodles in a decadent cream-based embrace.

Parmesan cheese melts perfectly, creating a smooth, velvety texture that coats each strand of fettuccine.

Restaurants charge premium prices for this beloved recipe, but you can easily recreate the magic in your own kitchen.

Simple ingredients come together to produce an extraordinary meal that feels restaurant-worthy.

The secret lies in balancing the right proportions of cheese, cream, and seasoning.

One forkful transports you straight to culinary bliss, promising a dining experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Everything In Best Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

For Pasta Base:
  • Fettuccine: Silky, wide ribbons that cradle the creamy sauce perfectly, choose fresh pasta for a luxurious texture.
  • Pasta Water: Magical liquid that helps bind sauce and pasta, starchy essence enhances overall dish consistency.
For Sauce Creators:
  • Heavy Cream: Rich, velvety base that provides luxurious smoothness and restaurant-quality richness.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Aged, sharp cheese that delivers intense nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce, select authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano for best results.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds golden depth and helps create smooth, glossy sauce texture, room temperature works best for seamless melting.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that infuses sauce with warm, earthy notes, fresh cloves provide more vibrant taste than pre-minced versions.
  • Salt: Essential seasoning that elevates and balances all other ingredients, use kosher or sea salt for cleaner flavor profile.
  • Black Pepper: Freshly ground provides subtle heat and complexity, whole peppercorns ground directly add most robust flavor.
  • Chicken: Protein that transforms dish from side to main course, choose boneless, skinless breasts for easiest preparation and most tender result.

Must-Have Kitchen Tools For Best Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

  • Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough space for water and noodles to move freely.
  • Colander: Needed to drain cooked fettuccine quickly and efficiently.
  • Measuring Cup: Helps accurately measure and reserve pasta water for sauce.
  • Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Perfect for stirring pasta while cooking and transferring noodles.
  • Sharp Knife: Useful for prepping chicken or any additional ingredients.
  • Cutting Board: Clean surface for slicing and preparing ingredients.

Simple Steps To Make Best Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

  • Boil Water Like a Pro

Fill a large pot with water, sprinkle in some salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Add fettuccine and cook until it’s perfectly tender with just the right bite.

  • Save Liquid Gold

Before draining the pasta, carefully scoop out a bit of that starchy cooking water – this secret weapon will help create a silky, dreamy sauce later.

  • Prepare Chicken Brilliance

Slice chicken into tender strips and season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Heat a skillet with olive oil and cook chicken until golden and juicy.

  • Craft Creamy Alfredo Magic

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Pour in heavy cream and grated parmesan, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and luxurious. If it’s too thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water.

  • Combine and Create

Toss the cooked fettuccine and chicken into the creamy sauce, gently mixing until every strand is coated with pure deliciousness. Let everything mingle and warm through for a minute.

  • Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley and extra parmesan on top. Serve immediately while the sauce is hot and the pasta is steaming, ready to transport your taste buds to Italian comfort food heaven.

Flavor Tips For Best Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

  • Pasta Water Magic: Save that starchy pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to your noodles.
  • Cheese Quality Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the richest, most authentic flavor – pre-shredded cheese won't melt as smoothly.
  • Light Version Option: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories without sacrificing creamy texture.
  • Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or sautéed mushrooms to make the dish more substantial and nutritionally balanced.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free fettuccine and ensure your Parmesan cheese is certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

How To Serve Best Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

  • Creamy Comfort Companions: Pair this rich, velvety chicken fettuccine alfredo with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to balance the dish's decadence.
  • Bread Basket Delight: Serve warm, garlic-buttered breadsticks or crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up the luxurious alfredo sauce and add a delightful crunch.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the creamy pasta with a chilled glass of chardonnay or pinot grigio, which will cut through the richness and enhance the overall dining experience.
  • Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh note and a pop of color to the classic white sauce.

Smart Storage For Best Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

  • Refrigerator Storage Technique: Seal leftover fettuccine in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days without losing its creamy texture.
  • Quick Reheating Method: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or pasta water, stirring constantly to restore the sauce's smooth consistency and prevent drying out.
  • Freezing Strategy: Transfer cooled fettuccine to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to maintain quality. Consume within 2 months for best taste and texture.
  • Portion Control Tip: Divide remaining pasta into individual serving sizes before storing, making future meals easy and preventing unnecessary waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 740 kcal

Servings: 5

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Velvety Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Velvety Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo emerges as a creamy Italian classic that delights pasta enthusiasts. Rich parmesan sauce and tender chicken create a comforting meal you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (500 g) chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
  • 14 oz (400 g) fettuccine pasta
  • 1 ½ cups (375 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 4 tbsps unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water pot to a vigorous boil, then delicately submerge fettuccine, stirring intermittently to prevent clumping. Cook until achieving an al dente texture.
  2. Liquid Preservation: Reserve a portion of starchy pasta water before completely draining, then transfer fettuccine to a warmed serving vessel.
  3. Sauce Foundation: In a companion skillet, transform butter into a golden, frothy state over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic, swiftly stirring to unlock its aromatic potential without scorching.
  4. Cream Integration: Stream heavy cream into the skillet, whisking methodically to craft a silken sauce base. Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, maintaining constant motion to ensure a smooth consistency.
  5. Seasoning Refinement: Delicately balance the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
  6. Protein Incorporation: Fold cooked chicken into the velvety sauce, allowing the meat to absorb the rich flavor profile and reach optimal temperature.
  7. Final Assembly: Cascade the luxurious sauce over the waiting fettuccine, utilizing reserved pasta water to fine-tune the sauce’s consistency if needed. Tenderly toss to ensure complete and even coating.
  8. Presentation: Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the sauce remains at its most decadent and inviting temperature.

Notes

  • Preserve Pasta Starchiness: Capture some pasta water before draining, which helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce by adding natural thickening agents.
  • Prevent Cheese Clumping: Gradually add Parmesan and whisk continuously to ensure a smooth, velvety sauce without unwanted cheese lumps.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Use reserved pasta water to thin or adjust the sauce’s texture, allowing perfect coating and preventing a too-thick or dry alfredo.
  • Maximize Flavor Infusion: Warm cooked chicken directly in the sauce to help it absorb rich, creamy flavors and prevent bland protein.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 740
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 45 g
  • Saturated Fat: 24 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star