Description
Creamy chicken fettuccine alfredo delivers a luxurious pasta experience straight from Italian kitchens. Rich parmesan sauce and tender chicken create a comforting meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb / 450 g)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine
- 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional)
- Cracked black pepper (optional)
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Chicken Preparation: Season chicken breasts with Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sear in olive oil over medium heat until golden and cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest briefly, then slice into elegant strips.
- Pasta Cooking: Bring salted water to a vigorous boil in a large pot. Cook fettuccine until perfectly al dente, following package instructions. Drain pasta, reserving a half cup of starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce refinement.
- Alfredo Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Introduce heavy cream, allowing it to simmer gently. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese, creating a velvety smooth sauce. Enhance with a subtle hint of nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper. Adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Pasta and Sauce Combination: Fold cooked fettuccine into the creamy Alfredo sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is luxuriously enrobed with the rich mixture.
- Plating and Garnishing: Plate the sauced pasta, strategically positioning sliced chicken on top. Elevate the presentation by sprinkling additional Parmesan, scattering fresh parsley, and finishing with a generous crack of black pepper.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately while piping hot. Pair with crisp garlic bread or a vibrant, fresh salad for a complete and satisfying dining experience.
Notes
- Select Fresh Ingredients: Choose high-quality, fresh Parmesan cheese and heavy cream for a richer, more authentic Alfredo sauce that elevates the entire dish’s flavor profile.
- Manage Pasta Cooking Time: Watch fettuccine carefully to achieve perfect al dente texture – overcooking leads to mushy pasta that won’t hold the creamy sauce effectively.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Keep reserved pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce thickness, preventing it from becoming too dense or separating during final mixing.
- Prevent Chicken Dryness: Allow chicken to rest after cooking and slice against the grain to maintain moisture and tenderness, ensuring each bite remains juicy and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg