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    Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

    A thick and creamy sauce from scratch is no comparison to the jarred alfredo you may be familiar with. Paired it with al dente noodles and golden-brown chicken for an easy dinner.

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    Homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo in a serving bowl with serving spoons
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    The Best Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

    If you’re one to overlook chicken fettuccine alfredo, it may be because you haven’t enjoyed it from scratch. Good news – this addictive, simple pasta dish only takes 45 minutes from start to finish, WITH a rich, homemade sauce and seared, golden-brown, and juicy chicken. It’s a cheesy, creamy family favorite with a deep restaurant-style flavor reminiscent of Olive Garden chicken fettuccine Alfredo, thanks to the double dose of garlic. We always make this when we have a crowd coming over because of how easy to make yet elegant it is, and even when we two-time this recipe, there is never a drop left.

    chicken, spices, fettuccine, butter, olive oil, parsley, heavy cream, parmesan and parsley in bowls to make chicken alfredo

    Ingredients to Make This Easy Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

    Gone are the days when you need a million ingredients to make something delicious and filling! We love this homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe because it’s simple, but you’d never know after the first bite of decadence. Typical alfredo sauce contains dairy such as whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream mixed with strong, hard, nutty cheese like pecorino or parmesan. If you’re interested in what are the best seasonings to put in Alfredo, we always include garlic for a kick, alongside fresh cracked black pepper and a hint of nutmeg.

    Ingredients you’ll need for Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken:

    • Fettuccine noodles

    • Flat leaf parsley

    • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

    • Italian seasoning

    • Kosher salt

    • Freshly cracked black pepper

    • Extra-virgin olive oil

    • Unsalted butter

    • Garlic cloves and garlic powder

    • Nutmeg

    • Heavy whipping cream

    • Grated Parmesan cheese

    raw chicken being seasoned with salt, pepper and italian seasoning to use for chicken fettuccine alfredo
    chicken breast seasoned with salt, pepper and italian seasoning being cooked in a skillet with olive oil and butter
    butter, garlic, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper being cooked in a skillet to make homemade alfredo sauce
    cream being added to a skillet with butter, garlic, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to make homemade alfredo sauce

    How to Make Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

    Follow these easy step-by-step instructions on how to make the fettuccine alfredo with chicken recipe:

    1. Prepare the fettuccine noodles! We’re looking for the perfect al dente noodle so make sure to cook it according to the package directions! When the sauce is added, it’ll be soaked up into the noodle while still providing that bite we all crave!

    2. Sear the chicken! Pat each chicken breast dry – this will help maintain that beautiful crust. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then add olive oil to a medium-high heat skillet. Gently place the chicken in and let cook on each side until brown and crispy. Pro Tip: if the chicken breast seems to be stuck to the pan, don’t pull it up. It’ll be ready to flip when it easily releases. In the last few minutes, add the butter to lock in the flavor.

    3. Make the creamy sauce! The most decadent part! Melt the butter, then add in both garlics (a real game changer!), nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook until fragrant, and your kitchen smells absolutely wonderful. Then, slowly add in the cream and bring to a light simmer. Add in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and whisk until thick.

    4. Assemble and serve! Lightly toss the noodles into the sauce, ensuring that each noodle is completely coated. Slice the chicken and place it on top. Ta-Da!

    parmesan, cream, butter, garlic, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper being stirred in a skillet with a wooden spoon
    homemade alfredo sauce in a pan made with parmesan, cream, butter, garlic, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper
    cooked fettuccine noodles being added to a pot of homemade alfredo sauce made with parmesan, cream, butter and spices
    cooked chicken added on top of homemade fettuccine alfredo in a pot

    What Goes Good With Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo?

    This recipe for chicken fettuccine alfredo is a showstopper alone, but if you’re looking for something to soak up that scrumptious, creamy homemade sauce, we love to serve an easy Garlic Bread or Pull Apart Cheese Bread. Lighten it up with one of our 30 Best Salad Recipes or our favorites like The Best Tomato Salad, a classic Caesar Salad, The Kale Salad, our favorite Antipasto Salad, or keep it simple with a super Simple Green Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette. This fettuccine chicken alfredo recipe also pairs perfectly with crispy Roasted Asparagus, Broccolini, or Braised Greens with Golden Raisins and Maple.

    Tools You’ll Need for Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo

    Our Top Pasta Recipes

    Pasta is a dream when you’re short on time and expecting a crowd! Our favorites, which contain mostly pantry staples with a few extra ingredients here and there, are:

    Homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo in a bowl with a fork

    Alfredo for Every Occasion!

    Once you’ve tried this creamy, homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe, you’ll realize how perfect it is anytime you need something easy, comforting, and delicious yet worthy of special occasions! How did it turn out? Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

    Related Recipes

    Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

    Originally published: January 31, 2023

    • Serves: 6
    • Prep Time:  15 min
    • Cook Time:  30 min
    • Calories: 719
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
    • Minced flat leaf parsley, for serving

    For the Chicken

    • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

    For the Sauce

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus more for serving
    • 1½ cups heavy whipping cream, room temperature
    • 5 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 cups)

    Method

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

    2. Meanwhile, make the chicken. Season the chicken all over with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

    3. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the chicken and cook, undisturbed, until browned, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Add the butter to the pan and cook, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 16 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

    4. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 3 minutes. Cut into ½ -inch-thick slices and tent with foil to keep warm.

    5. Make the Alfredo sauce. Wipe out the skillet and return it to medium heat. Add the butter. When the butter is nearly melted, add the garlic, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

    6. Increase the heat to medium-high and gradually stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then add the parmesan; cook, stirring, until fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes more. Add the pasta and toss to coat.

    7. Divide the pasta between bowls and top with the sliced chicken. Sprinkle with parsley and season with pepper to taste.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories719
    • Protein29 g
    • Carbohydrates44 g
    • Total Fat28 g
    • Dietary Fiber2 g
    • Cholesterol120 mg
    • sodium666 mg
    • Total Sugars1 g

    Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Cynthia

      are there specific measurements on any of these ingredients? also, where do you add in the parsley? after it's cooked?

      Hi Cynthia if you scroll to the recipe (or hit the "jump to recipe" button at the top of the page) all of the ingredients with measurements is listed. The parsley is just sprinkled on the top before serving, totally optional. Hope you enjoy!

    • S

      I gathered all my ingredients and realized I’m short on the butter needed. Can I sub half with olive oil?

      If you need to eliminate butter perhaps eliminate it from the chicken, but we wouldn't recommend subbing olive oil in the alfredo sauce.

    • Amber

      This was the perfect Alfredo recipe!! My family LOVED it and it was easy enough for a quick weeknight dinner! Going to make again for sure

      That's great to hear, thank you Amber!

    • dani

      It looks so good

      THanks Dani!

    • Kim Freeby

      This was sooo good! We had people over for dinner and I threw this together and everyone loved it!!! ❤️

      Thanks Kim, so happy to hear that!

    • Katie Lee

      My husband ate this like it was his last meal. Turned and looked at me and said this would be good for lunch (he almost never eats leftovers). Made the recipe as written.

      That's so great to hear, thanks for sharing Katie! So happy you and your husband loved it!

    • Lauren McGraw

      This chicken alfredo was delicious. I followed the recipe to a T and it turned out great! Next time I might try swapping the heavy cream for half and half. I think the flavors will still be great but it would be a bit lighter

      Thanks Lauren, so glad you loved it!