Rich, creamy and savory, chicken alfredo is a classic dish that has become a staple of Italian cuisine. Many diners treasure it as their go-to order when they visit an authentic Italian restaurant, as it is equal parts comfort food and exotic fare.
You don’t have to go out to eat to enjoy the delectable taste of chicken alfredo. In terms of accessible Italian dishes, it’s relatively low-stress to make in your own kitchen!
While many pasta sauce brands make tasty and affordable alfredo sauces, nothing can beat the flavor and freshness of homemade alfredo sauce. Even better, alfredo is a simple sauce with a few simple ingredients you may already have in your refrigerator.
Read on to find out how to make our creamy chicken alfredo recipe, and pick up some helpful tips along the way.
What Is Chicken Alfredo?
Italian Alfredo Di Lelio invented fettuccine alfredo in 1914, and the recent incorporation of chicken boosts the flavor and protein of the dish.
Chicken provides the protein source, traditionally grilled and placed atop a bed of noodles and cream sauce. Fettuccine is the standard type of noodle that most chefs prefer, though others may be a substitute.
The rich sauce is what sets chicken alfredo apart from other Italian dishes. Thick dairy elements of butter and cheese combine with Italian seasonings and garlic for a unique flavor profile. Buttery, complex, and comforting, chicken fettuccine alfredo is a dish you won’t regret making.

Best Perfect Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb Skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp High-quality olive oil
- 1 package Fettuccine noodles
- ½ cups Butter
- 4 oz Parmesan cheese
- ½ cups Heavy cream (optional)
- 2 Garlic cloves
- Salt and black pepper
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta:
- First, boil water in a large stock pot, adding salt to prevent the noodles from sticking.
- Dump the noodles into the pot and cook according to the package directions.
- Strain and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken:
- While the noodles cook, add olive oil to a separate skillet and set on medium-low heat.
- Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet.
- Sautee for 5 minutes or until lightly browned, then turn over each breast and give them another 5 minutes.
- Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the juices run clear.
Prepare the Alfredo Sauce:
- Place a pot on a stovetop burner and turn the heat to low.
- Melt the stick of butter in the pan, careful not to let it get so hot that it bubbles. Add garlic and stir for 3 minutes.
- Slowly add the Parmesan cheese and let the butter coat it all, continuing to stir gently.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. If you like, you can also add When all the ingredients have blended, you should have a medium-thick roux.
- Once the sauce is done, the trick is to prevent it from hardening over on top. Keep the pot at a low simmer, stirring occasionally, so the sauce remains creamy as you work on the other parts of your meal.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the alfredo sauce is thickened and seasoned to your liking, it’s time to combine it with the other elements.
- Adding cream sauce directly to the pasta is the traditional way. Pour the sauce into the stock pot, lightly tossing so that the roux ingredients completely coat each noodle.
- Lift a serving of pasta onto each plate, and place the grilled chicken on top. If you like, you can slice the chicken for a neat presentation or let your guests tackle it themselves. A side of vegetables such as broccoli or spinach makes a nice complement. You may also experiment with adding veggies directly into the sauce.
Tips & Tricks for Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Chicken alfredo is delicious all on its own, but there are some ways you can change the flavor profile for some versatility.Â
- Authentic Italian alfredo doesn’t include cream. But you can whisk heavy cream into the sauce at the end, tasting it every 30 seconds to ensure a good flavor balance.Â
- You can save some of the pasta water to add to the roux as a thickening agent if you like. This retains a bit more flavor in your recipe.
- To make your chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe slightly healthier, try using low-fat milk or cheese. You can also find whole-wheat pasta at most grocery stores.Â
- Serve your chicken alfredo with a glass of wine, like chardonnay, pinot grigio, or other dry white wine. If your guests prefer red, pinot noir is the best complement.Â
Nutrition Information of Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Like many Italian dishes, chicken fettuccine alfredo is not exactly healthy food. The heavy ingredients in the rich sauce mean it’s not a low-calorie meal and doesn’t fit into a vegan or ketogenic diet plan. However, you can make substitutions to suit some diet restrictions.
Here is the info based on the recipe we outlined above. This is based on a 4oz. piece of chicken and two cups of fettuccine tossed in the cream sauce.
Per serving:Â
- 900 caloriesÂ
- 80 grams of proteinÂ
- 125 grams of fatÂ
- 105 grams of carbohydrates
- 50% daily value of Vitamin AÂ
- 30% daily value of calcium
Chicken fettuccine alfredo is also a good source of fiber and magnesium and is low in sugar.Â
Conclusion Â
A delightful mouthfeel and classic taste are the reason to try making your own chicken fettuccine alfredo. It’s easy enough to make that you can treat yourself on a weekday night, but also works as an elevated dish for when you invite company over. Enjoy your experience, and consider delving deeper into Italian cuisine with other recipes once you’ve finished. Mangia!Â
I made this last night and it was pretty easy.
I just love this recipe. I tweaked it a little like I do for most recipes.
This dish is absolutely delicious! I have used many recipes from this website and all have been impressive