Description
Creamy one pot chicken alfredo pasta delivers Italian comfort straight to your kitchen. Rich parmesan sauce and tender chicken create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Liquids:
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating an ideal environment for searing poultry.
- Introduce seasoned chicken pieces into the hot pan, ensuring an even coating of salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
- Allow chicken to develop a rich, golden exterior, transforming its surface while cooking thoroughly for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a separate plate, preserving its warmth and succulence for later incorporation.
- In the same skillet, leverage the remaining flavorful fond and residual oils to enhance the forthcoming sauce’s depth.
- Reduce heat to medium and introduce minced garlic, stirring rapidly to prevent burning and release its aromatic essence.
- Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, whisking consistently to create a smooth, luxurious base for the Alfredo sauce.
- Gradually sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, continuously stirring to ensure seamless integration and prevent clumping.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the creamy liquid, submerging each strand to guarantee even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Cover the skillet and allow the pasta to simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote uniform cooking.
- Once pasta reaches an al dente consistency, reintroduce the seared chicken, gently folding it into the creamy mixture.
- Finish the dish with a final garnish of chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is at room temperature before cooking to promote even searing and prevent tough meat.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, helping achieve a golden-brown crust and preventing steaming.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a leaner option, or swap with thighs for a more flavorful and tender result.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to maintain the dish’s creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 717
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 189 mg