If you’re looking for the creamiest, coziest weeknight pasta that truly feels like a homemade hug, this Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is your answer! Imagine perfectly seared garlic-seasoned chicken, twirled through silky ribbons of fettuccine, all enrobed in a velvety Alfredo sauce that melts beautifully with real parmesan and a hint of garlic. Whether you’re aiming to impress your family or craving serious comfort food, this dish promises restaurant-worthy results with just a handful of everyday ingredients.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo plays a starring role in creating the iconic creamy texture and savory, rich flavor. Even though the ingredient list is short, it’s all about choosing quality items and treating them with love—each one adds a unique layer to the overall taste, color, or texture.

Chicken breasts: Slicing them in half means faster, more even cooking and beautifully tender bites of chicken throughout your Alfredo.
Garlic powder: This gives the chicken extra dimension and a subtle warmth that enhances every savory forkful.
Salt & pepper: The foundation of flavor! Season generously for the best results.
Flour: Lightly dredging the chicken creates a delicate crust that soaks up all those luscious juices.
Olive oil: Using oil alongside butter prevents burning and helps sear the chicken to a golden perfection.
Butter: Key for that truly rich Alfredo flavor—don’t skimp, it’s what gives the sauce its signature silkiness.
Fettuccine: The classic wide pasta strands are ideal for clinging to the creamy sauce.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese makes the sauce extra thick and indulgent. Philly is perfect if you have it!
Heavy/whipping cream: This is what makes Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo glossy, rich, and oh-so-satisfying.
Chicken broth: Just a splash for balance and depth; it keeps the sauce from being overwhelmingly heavy.
Fresh garlic: Minced cloves bring a wonderful aromatic punch that makes the sauce sing.
Parmesan cheese: Always grate your own for that nutty, salty finish—pre-grated cheese just can’t compare.

How to Make Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Step 1: Prep Your Dairy and Cheese

First things first: take your cream cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before starting or give it a brief stint in the microwave. Grate the parmesan fresh (trust me, it melts so much better than the pre-shredded kind!). Prepping these first saves time later and sets you up for a smooth, dreamy sauce.

Step 2: Cook the Fettuccine

Bring a large pot of salted water to a full, rolling boil. Toss in your fettuccine and cook it just until al dente, following package instructions—you want it to have body so it doesn’t fall apart in the sauce. Reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining; you may need it later for the perfect sauce consistency.

Step 3: Prepare and Dredge the Chicken

While your pasta is cooking, slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you have four thinner pieces. Sprinkle both sides liberally with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then dredge each cutlet in flour. This step locks in flavor and will help the chicken brown beautifully in the pan.

Step 4: Sear the Chicken

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and one tablespoon of the butter. Once hot, add your floured chicken and sear each side for about five minutes, until golden-brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken to a plate and keep it warm—you’re just minutes away from Alfredo magic!

Step 5: Start the Alfredo Sauce

If there’s excess grease in the skillet, give it a quick wipe-out. Add the rest of the butter, softened cream cheese, cream, chicken broth, and minced garlic. Return to medium heat. Once everything is melted together, use your spoon to help the cream cheese fully blend into the sauce. This will take a couple of minutes, but don’t rush—melting the cream cheese properly is the secret to an ultra-smooth Alfredo.

Step 6: Simmer and Slice

Let the sauce gently bubble for about five minutes. As it cooks, it’ll thicken up. Meanwhile, slice your cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces so it’s easy to scoop up with each forkful of pasta.

Step 7: Finish the Sauce with Parmesan

Now it’s time to bring in the parmesan—stir it into the sauce and let it cook just a minute longer, until everything comes together and the sauce is thick and luscious. If it gets too thick, don’t hesitate to add a splash of that reserved pasta water. Taste and season generously with salt and pepper if needed.

Step 8: Combine and Serve

Add the drained fettuccine directly to the skillet and toss to coat every strand with sauce. Arrange the sliced chicken on top (or gently mix it in), then serve immediately with a fresh shower of parmesan. There you have it: pure Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo bliss!

How to Serve Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Garnishes

Elevate your plating with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for color and brightness, or try a quick twist of cracked black pepper on top. Don’t forget more grated parmesan—there’s never such a thing as too much!

Side Dishes

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo pairs wonderfully with crisp Caesar salad, garlicky roasted broccoli, or classic garlic bread for scooping up any extra sauce. A simple green salad balances the richness beautifully and gives your meal a fresh finish.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to get a little fancy, serve the Alfredo in shallow pasta bowls and arrange the chicken in neat slices on top. For family-style serving, toss everything together in one big platter and let everyone help themselves. For date night, add a few roasted cherry tomatoes or a drizzle of good olive oil for that elegant restaurant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The sauce may thicken as it sits, but you can easily revive it when reheating.

Freezing

While cream-based sauces can sometimes separate after freezing, you can freeze this dish in an airtight container for up to a month. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well while reheating to bring the sauce back together.

Reheating

Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. Stir continuously to keep the Alfredo creamy and prevent the cheese from getting grainy. If you’re microwaving, cover loosely and stir every 30 seconds for even heating.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo?

Absolutely! Just slice or shred the chicken and add it to the sauce in the final step to warm through. It’s a lifesaver for busy nights and still delivers on flavor.

Is it possible to lighten up this recipe?

Yes, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and swap low-fat cream cheese, though the sauce will be somewhat thinner. For an even lighter version, try adding steamed broccoli or peas into the pasta for extra veggies.

My sauce is too thick—what should I do?

If the Alfredo sauce becomes too thick, simply add a little reserved pasta water or chicken broth, stirring well until you reach the perfect creamy consistency. This trick keeps it lush and silky!

Can I use a different type of pasta?

While fettuccine is classic, you can definitely swap in linguine, tagliatelle, or even penne if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure to cook until al dente so the pasta holds up to the sauce.

What can I do if I don’t have cream cheese?

If you’re out of cream cheese, you can use extra heavy cream and a bit more parmesan. The texture will be less thick, but it’ll still be delicious and satisfyingly rich.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo enough for anyone who wants to feel truly pampered by their dinner. It’s a dish that never fails to bring big smiles around the table, combining simple ingredients into absolute creamy perfection. Gather your loved ones, put on some music, and treat yourself to this classic comfort—one bowlful will transport you straight to pasta heaven!

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 16 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Creamy and delicious Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo recipe that is easy to make at home. Tender chicken served over perfectly cooked fettuccine noodles in a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce.

Instructions

Prep Ingredients: Soften cream cheese and grate parmesan cheese.
Cook Fettuccine: Boil salted water and cook fettuccine al dente.
Prepare Chicken: Season chicken, coat in flour, and cook in skillet until golden and cooked through.
Make Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, combine butter, cream cheese, cream, chicken broth, and garlic. Let simmer until the sauce thickens.
Combine Ingredients: Stir in parmesan cheese, add fettuccine to the skillet, and toss with the sauce.
Serve: Plate the fettuccine with chicken on top and garnish with more parmesan cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian