You should prepare the ingredients ahead of time if you’re making chicken alfredo pasta for the first time. This recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare, but it can be prepared in as little as 20 minutes. Two pans are required: a four-quart pot for the pasta and a large skillet for the chicken. Before adding the chicken to the sauce, ensure the pasta has enough water and set aside some pasta water.
Alfredo Pasta is a delectable dish you can order from any of your favorite Italian restaurants. Still, the creamy alfredo sauce, pasta, and chicken are all simple to prepare at home. In just 20 minutes, you can have this decadent, warming Dinner Recipe on the table!
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Nutrition Facts
What is Chicken Alfredo Pasta?
Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a delectable and creamy Italian dish with cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, grated parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. It has a garlic and oregano flavor that is excellent. Chicken Alfredo pasta is a classic dish that is also quite simple to prepare. This Chicken Alfredo Pasta will be a hit with the whole family because it’s packed with chicken breast and broccoli florets in a silky, creamy sauce. It’s a simple mid-week dish that takes about 30 minutes to prepare. You can also use shrimp instead of chicken in this recipe.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Pasta?
Chicken Alfredo Pasta is always a family favorite. The pasta is topped with creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken breast for a filling, tasty dish.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 500 g (1lb) chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs / Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Alfredo Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- Two garlic cloves minced/crushed
- 2 cups heavy / whipping cream
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs/seasoning
- 1½ cups Parmesan cheese finely grated/shredded
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 500 g (1lb) Fettuccine
- Parmesan to serve
- Parsley to serve
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta or noodles of your choice, then cook until al dente (usually 9-12 minutes). Reserve half a cup of pasta water and drain.
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Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a chopping board and carefully slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create two thin cutlets.
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Drizzle each piece of chicken with olive oil, then season generously on both sides with two teaspoons of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
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Heat a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
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Melt the butter in the same pan until foamy. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds – 1 minute).
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Pour in the cream and herbs/seasoning, then allow to come to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cream has reduced slightly.
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Stir in the Parmesan cheese and allow to melt/cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
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Season to taste with salt and pepper, then combine with sliced chicken, cooked pasta and a few tablespoons of the pasta cooking water.
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Serve with fresh parsley and Parmesan.
Once you’ve finished cooking the pasta, you’ll need to stir in the sauce. After adding it to the pasta, you’ll notice that the sauce is a bit thin, but this is only because the starches will be mixed into the sauce. Adding flour to the mixture will thicken it and make it gluey. You can add some seasoning to the sauce to give it a unique flair. You can also adjust the ratio of milk and cream to your preferred amount of richness.
What Goes with Chicken Alfredo Pasta?
Do you have any ideas for a side dish with your Chicken Alfredo Pasta? This delicious pasta recipe is thick, creamy, and buttery. Take a look at the collection of Chicken Alfredo pasta side dishes.
Pasta is best served with a side dish, just like any other meal. As a result, this article will assist you in selecting the ideal side dishes by discussing the flavor and texture qualities that go well with Chicken Alfredo.
1. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is one of the most popular pasta side dishes. The combination of chicken Alfredo and garlic toast is fantastic.
It’s all about the buttery, crispy, and herb-infused bread, which is amazing in every mouthful. The creamy sauce and smoked chicken are enhanced by everything.
2. Salad
A tasty salad is a great choice if you’re looking for a lighter side dish. It’s also healthful and refreshing, complementing your creamy food nicely. You may make a variety of salads, including Caesar salad, Greek salad, Kale salad, and Orzo salad.
3. Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is delicious in pasta dishes as well as on its own. This side dish is hearty and creamy with the correct combination of spices, salt, garlic, onion, and butter. Plus, spinach is a nutritious green vegetable that is abundant in minerals. Thus, it has health advantages.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is another green veggie to consider. It will assist in balancing the umami in your Alfredo. You’ll receive a delicious color contrast and a healthful and crunchy pasta dish. It’s also simple to make. Toss the florets and stems into your spaghetti after blanching them. You can also steam the broccoli while the pasta is cooking! Close the cover and place the broccoli in the steamer on top of the pot.
5. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a popular side dish to serve with any dinner. They have a creamy, silky texture and a mild tangy flavor with earthy overtones that will complement your Chicken Alfredo nicely. This is a simple dish you can make on your own, and the ingredients are readily available at your local shop.
6. Green Beans
Are you a fan of green beans? Green beans add enough sweetness and crunch to balance up the luscious Chicken Alfredo. They can be roasted with shallots or sautéed with olive oil, salt, and red pepper flakes. Alternatively, steam them till soft and crisp, then top with basil pesto and serve.
7. Roasted Garlic Potatoes
Do you want some delectable snacks? You’ll enjoy roasted garlic potatoes. The flavor and aroma are excellent. And the garlic flavor is unrivaled. The texture of the potatoes varies depending on how they are prepared, from soft to crunchy. You can prepare them according to your tastes. This side dish will add flavor and filling to your Chicken Alfredo supper.
8. Grilled Asparagus
Asparagus adds a vivid green hue to your Chicken Alfredo. Because of its distinct vegetable flavor, asparagus grills beautifully. This side dish is a terrific complement to your pasta, with a touch of lemon and a couple of pinches of fresh black pepper.
What is Heavy Cream Used for Pasta?
If you like to experiment with recipes in the kitchen, you’ve probably also found yourself standing in the dairy area of the grocery store, staring aimlessly into shelves of cream. What is the difference between standard heavy cream, double cream, evaporated milk, and heavy whipping cream? You’re not alone if you’re thinking, “What is heavy cream?”
Due to its high-fat content, heavy cream, also known as heavy whipping cream, is the thick part of the milk that rises to the top. It has one of the highest fat concentrations, at around 36-40% fat compared to other dairy products. With roughly 30% milk fat, whipping cream comes in a close but lighter second. On the other hand, half-and-half has roughly 10.5 to 18 percent milk fat content, which you might use in your morning coffee.
To thicken and flavor your pasta sauces, use heavy cream as an ingredient. Serve your sauce over gluten-free pasta for a quick and pleasant weekday meal.
How to Freeze Chicken Alfredo Pasta?
Alfredo pasta is a well-loved dish and comfort food for many. The savory sauce comprises butter, parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Adding chicken, bacon, shrimp, mushroom, or broccoli gives it more flair. Experts say this cream-based sauce best paired with wide noodles such as fettuccine, linguine, or pappardelle.
You can make a large batch in advance and freeze it so you can have a delicious pasta dish whenever you want one. Here are the steps on how to freeze your Alfredo pasta properly:
- The pasta should be undercooked for 1 to 2 minutes. This way, your pasta will not be too soft when you reheat it later.
- Use whole milk for the sauce. Your sauce will not separate too much once frozen because whole milk has a higher fat content.
- Let your pasta cool down after cooking. But note that it should be inside the freezer within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacteria contamination.
- Put your pasta in airtight containers or freezer bags. Alternatively, you can cover it with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to seal its freshness.
- It is best to store your pasta in thin layers so it would be easier to thaw and reheat when you already want to use it.
- Label your container and put the date on it so you’ll be guided regarding its shelf life.
You can also freeze the Alfredo sauce separately if you want to. You can put them in ice cube trays or freezer bags. Just cook the noodles while you’re reheating the sauce so you can enjoy al dente pasta. Follow these steps to freeze your Alfredo pasta properly so it will still be tasty when it’s time for you to serve it.
Conclusion
You’ll find the recipe for Chicken Alfredo pasta here, whether you’re looking for a great, creamy pasta dish or a quick and easy meal for the whole family. The ultra-creamy alfredo sauce tastes the most and is ideal for a family lunch. It’s also quick and easy to prepare, taking only 20 minutes from start to finish! The nicest aspect is that it may also be served to guests.
Use chicken broth instead of plain pasta water to add more flavor to the dish. Just make sure the pasta isn’t overcooked. Add fresh parsley and ground black pepper to the chicken alfredo sauce to enhance the flavor. The sauce will be absorbed much more by the pasta. The sauce can be served over pappardelle once the chicken is done.
After adding the chicken to the spaghetti, thinly slice the chicken breast. A half-inch-thick piece of chicken will suffice. To keep the chicken warm, wrap it in aluminum foil. In the meantime, heat one tablespoon of olive oil and one teaspoon of butter in the same pan. The onions should then be sauteed for 3 minutes. Cook for another minute or two after adding the mushrooms and garlic.
