This homemade chicken Alfredo recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, the perfect weeknight dinner! Tender fettuccine pasta and juicy chicken tossed in rich, garlicky homemade Alfredo sauce.
Are you more of a red sauce fan when it comes to pasta? Try this ground beef rotini pasta recipe!
CHICKEN ALFREDO RECIPE
Nothing beats a plate of this classic chicken fettuccine alfredo! This copycat Olive Garden chicken Alfredo recipe makes for the perfect weeknight dinner. Tender fettuccine pasta and juicy, crispy chicken all tossed in a rich and creamy garlic sauce. With this simple recipe you can have the ultimate copycat Olive Garden chicken Alfredo pasta ready in under 30 minutes.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Pasta– Classic Alfredo pasta calls for fettuccine pasta, but you can totally use any long or short pasta you like for this dish. Pastas like fettuccine, angel hair, linguine, bucatini, rotini, penne, cavatappi, etc. are great for this recipe.
- Chicken– I like to pan-sear the chicken for this pasta dish. You can use boneless skinless chicken breast, chicken thighs or even chicken tenderloins. Any other chicken cooking method can also be used! You can use grilled chicken thighs, air fryer chicken, or even crispy chicken cutlets for this pasta dish.
- Chicken Seasoning– When pan-searing the chicken, I like to season the chicken with the classics: salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning. You can use any of your go-to seasonings for the chicken.
- Herbs– What is a dish without chopped herbs as a garnish?! This is totally optional, but if you like freshly chopped herbs then I highly recommend topping this pasta with herbs. Cilantro, Parsley, chives or even green onion can be used to elevate this chicken alfredo pasta dish.
CHICKEN ALFREDO SAUCE
- Butter– Butter adds richness and creaminess to the homemade alfredo sauce. You can use either salted or unsalted butter.
- Garlic– For the best results, you want to use freshly minced garlic. You can also use jarred minced garlic or swap for garlic powder.
- Flour– All-purpose flour is what is used to thicken the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Cream– The base for the Alfredo sauce is cream! You can use either whole milk or half and half creamer. You can also use heavy whipping cream, but then add less flour, since the heavy whipping cream is already thick.
- Parmesan– Freshly grated Parmesan delivers the best taste and texture, though pre-grated Parmesan can also be used.
- Flavor– To season the creamy Alfredo sauce, this recipe calls for salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Feel free to adjust or add your own favorite seasonings.
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN ALFREDO
Making copycat Olive Garden chicken Alfredo recipe is easier than you think, all you need is about 30 minutes!
- Drizzle the chicken in oil and coat with the chicken seasoning blend.
- In a large skillet, drizzle the pot with oil and heat.
- Once hot add the chicken and sauté until fully cooked.
- As the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot. Strain the pasta once cooked and set aside, covering to keep warm.
- Remove chicken from the skillet and allow it to sit on a cutting board for 3-4 minutes. Slice the chicken into desired sized pieces and cover to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic and sauté on medium heat, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour until combined. Pour in the milk, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings and whisk until well combined.
- Bring Alfredo sauce to a simmer and allow it to thicken.
- As soon as the sauce thickens, remove from the heat. Add the drained pasta and chicken pieces and toss until well combined.
- Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped greens.
- Serve warm with desired sides
ALFREDO PASTA VARIATIONS
Although the classic chicken Alfredo recipe is definitely top tier, you can totally switch up the flavors by adding just a couple things to the sauce!
- Cajun Alfredo– If you like a bit of spice, make your alfredo Cajun style! Season the chicken in Cajun seasoning and add a couple teaspoons of Cajun seasoning to the Alfredo pasta sauce.
- Blackened Alfredo– Another great way to enjoy Alfredo pasta is by making Blackened chicken Alfredo!
- Pesto Alfredo– Use up your homemade pesto sauce and make your Alfredo pesto flavored! Follow my creamy chicken pesto pasta recipe to make this version.
- Tomato Alfredo– During the garlic step in the Alfredo sauce, add diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or some tomato paste for a rich tomato Alfredo sauce.
PASTA ADD INS
You can totally add more ingredients to this pasta to make it heartier! Here are some ways to elevate this dish:
- Shrimp
- Steak
- Bacon
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Sauteed peppers
- Spinach
- Peas
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
No! You can have just plain fettuccine Alfredo pasta without the chicken. You can also swap for shrimp, steak, or veggies.
Be sure you give the sauce enough time, it needs to come to a simmer and then it will start thickening! If it still seems too thin, add a tsp at a time of more flour until it has reached your desired thickness.
You can either use long pasta like angel hair, spaghetti, linguine, or any other long pasta. Short pasta can also be used, such as rotini, penne, elbow, fusilli, cavatappi and any other short pasta.
If you like a bit of spice, add some red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce! You can also add some Cajun seasoning.
No! You can totally use grilled chicken, air fryer chicken, or even breaded chicken cutlets instead of the pan-seared chicken.
Yes, you can totally do that! Instead of cooking the chicken breast whole, cube or slice then sauté. I do it this way in my chicken pesto pasta recipe.
The internal temperature of cooked chicken is 165°F. Once the chicken reaches that, it is cooked.
Add the leftover pasta into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days! I love leftover Alfredo pasta for lunch the next day!
When reheating, add the pasta, 1-2 Tbsp of milk and freshly shredded parmesan cheese to a skillet and cook until reheated. The added milk and cheese will help you get creamy pasta, not dry and oily pasta.
SERVING IDEAS
Pair this delicious creamy Olive Garden chicken Alfredo with the right sides for the ultimate dinner! Pair with:
Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta al dente
- finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley optional for garnish
chicken-
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless skinless
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
Alfredo Sauce-
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 fresh garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic power
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken breast with paper towels. Place the chicken on a cutting board, and using a meat mallet, gently pound the thicker parts of the chicken until the chicken is all even in thickness. (This ensures the chicken cooks evenly.)
- Marinate the chicken breast in oil and seasonings. (You can prepare the chicken 3-4 days ahead of time, storing in the fridge.)1 lb chicken breast , boneless skinless, 2 Tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp italian seasoning, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ¼ tsp paprika
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, carefully drain the pasta in a strainer and set aside. Cover loosely to keep warm. (If you start the pasta while the chicken is cooking, it should be done right in time to add straight into the sauce.)12 oz fettuccine pasta, al dente
- Meanwhile, heat a skillet with a drizzle of oil on medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken breast and sear for about 3-4 minutes, per side.
- Flip the chicken and reduce heat to medium and cover the skillet with a lid, cooking the chicken for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it sit for 4-5 minutes. Slice into desired size pieces and cover to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, add butter and garlic. Cook over medium heat for about 30 seconds, stirring often, until the garlic smells fragrant.3 fresh garlic cloves, minced, 3 Tbsp unsalted butter,
- Whisk in the flour until combined and no dry flour remains.1 ½ Tbsp all-purpose flour
- Pour in the milk, parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk continuously until smooth and fully combined.1 1/4 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese , shredded, ¾ tsp salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic power, ¼ tsp paprika
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and allow it to thicken. As soon as it thickens, add the pasta and sliced chicken and toss until well combined.
- Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped greens.finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, optional for garnish
- Serve warm with desired sides.
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