Chicken Alfredo Pasta 🍗🧄🧈🍝 Creamy, Buttery, and Loaded With Tender Chicken and a Glossy Parmesan Sauce

This is the dish that made creamy pasta iconic — juicy pan-seared chicken paired with a real-deal Alfredo sauce (no flour, no shortcuts), all wrapped around twirls of fettuccine. It’s rich but balanced, easy but impressive, and perfect as a standalone centerpiece.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3 generously)

For the pasta

• 8 oz fettuccine or linguine
• Salted water for boiling

For the chicken

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter for searing

For the Alfredo sauce

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan (more for topping)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: pinch of nutmeg or lemon zest for depth

To finish

• Chopped parsley or basil
• Extra Parmesan and black pepper on top

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil fettuccine in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Sear the chicken
Pound chicken to even thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.

Step 3: Make the Alfredo
In the same pan, lower heat to medium. Melt butter, then add garlic. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in cream and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and whisk until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Combine
Add drained pasta to the sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until everything is coated and glossy. Add sliced chicken on top or stir in.

Step 5: Serve
Plate pasta, top with more cheese, herbs, and fresh pepper. Serve immediately.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli for depth
• Stir in a spoon of pesto or sun-dried tomato oil for a twist
• Use blackened Cajun chicken for a spicy variation
• Replace chicken with shrimp or salmon for a seafood spin
• Make it smoky with a touch of bacon or pancetta

Pro Tips

• Use freshly grated Parmesan — pre-shredded doesn’t melt smoothly
• Don’t overheat the cream — gentle simmer keeps the sauce silky
• Rest and slice chicken just before serving for max juiciness
• Add pasta water slowly — it helps emulsify the sauce without thinning it too much

Final Thoughts

Chicken Alfredo Pasta is rich, satisfying, and always a hit — a creamy dream that’s just as good on a Wednesday night as it is for a dinner party. Once you master the sauce, it’s endlessly riffable.

Sear it. Swirl it. Let the cream and cheese do the talking. 🍗🧄🧈🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

• 🧄 Classic Pasta Recipes – Tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and timeless tomato-based favorites.
• 🍅 Simple Pasta Recipes – Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor — pasta perfection without the fuss.
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🧀 Sauce Styles

• 🥛 Creamy Pasta Recipes – Silky sauces made with cream, cheese, or both — pure comfort in a bowl.
• 🧈 Alfredo Pasta Recipes – Rich and buttery Alfredo sauce takes center stage in these indulgent dishes.
• 🥄 White Sauce Pasta Recipes – Mellow and smooth béchamel-based recipes that pair beautifully with chicken or veggies.
• 🍅 Red Sauce Pasta Recipes – Bright, bold tomato sauces — classic marinara, spicy arrabbiata, and more.
• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
• 🐟 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Scallops, crab, salmon, or mixed shellfish in rich and zesty sauces.
• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.