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Easy 30-Minute Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Close-up of fettuccine pasta coated in rich white sauce with chunks of seasoned chicken, garnished with fresh parsley, a perfect chicken alfredo.
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Make rich, creamy, restaurant-style Chicken Alfredo from scratch in under 30 minutes. This recipe delivers a velvety Parmesan sauce perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound fettuccine pasta
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the cream has slightly thickened.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and melted. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  7. Stir in the salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained fettuccine pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the creamy Alfredo sauce.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a restaurant-style flavor, use high-quality, freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
  • If you want to add vegetables, stir in 1 cup of steamed broccoli florets during the final step when combining the pasta and sauce.
  • If the sauce separates or becomes grainy, remove the skillet from the heat immediately and whisk vigorously while slowly adding a splash of cold heavy cream or pasta water.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/easy-chicken-alfredo-recipe-30-minute/