Timeless Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 20 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Timeless Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo is the ultimate comfort meal, perfect for a cozy family dinner or an impressive date night at home. This classic dish combines tender chicken and rich, creamy Alfredo sauce for a meal that's both indulgent and satisfying.

Ingredients for Timeless Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

Chicken breast: Provides lean protein and hearty texture. Season it well to enhance the flavors of the dish.

Fettuccini pasta: The perfect shape to hold onto the creamy sauce, ensuring each bite is deliciously coated.

Heavy cream: The base of the Alfredo sauce, giving it a rich, velvety texture.

Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, savory depth to the sauce. Freshly grated is best for melting smoothly.

Unsalted butter: Helps to sauté the garlic and adds a silky finish to the sauce.

Garlic: Delivers a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the creamy sauce.

Salt and Black pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and balancing the flavors of the dish.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken to a golden perfection.

Fresh parsley (optional): A pop of color and freshness to brighten the dish.

Nutmeg (optional): Adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the Alfredo sauce.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture and flavor. Pre-grated cheese often has additives that prevent it from melting smoothly.
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing helps retain its juices, making it more tender.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to thin it out without losing flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette. A side of garlic bread would also complement the creamy Alfredo sauce perfectly, adding a crunchy contrast to the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While fettuccini is traditional, feel free to use any pasta you have on hand.
What can I add for extra flavor?
Try adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a twist. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also give it a nice kick.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
The sauce is best served fresh, but you can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time. Simply reheat and combine with the sauce when ready to serve.

Timeless Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo Recipe Walkthrough

Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with a generous amount of salt and black pepper. Heat up a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Place the chicken in the pan and let it cook undisturbed for about 7 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a nice golden crust and fully cooked centers. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest before slicing it into thin strips.

While the chicken rests, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain it well and set aside.

In the same skillet you used for the chicken, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté it for about a minute until it becomes wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!

Gently pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce is smooth and luscious. A pinch of nutmeg at this stage will add a lovely, subtle depth to your sauce—if you're using it.

Now, add the drained fettuccini and sliced chicken to the sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are well coated in the creamy Alfredo goodness.

Serve your Timeless Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo immediately, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy: Ready in about 30 minutes!
  • Uses simple, everyday ingredients.
  • Rich and creamy sauce that coats every pasta strand.
  • Customizable with added veggies or spices.

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast
12 oz fettuccini pasta
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden and fully cooked, about 7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and let rest, then slice into thin strips.
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add fettuccini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with nutmeg, if using.
5. Add the cooked fettuccini and sliced chicken to the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the Alfredo sauce.
6. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.

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