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A creamy easy chicken alfredo dinner served in a bowl.

Easy Chicken Alfredo Dinner

This Easy Chicken Alfredo Dinner is a quick and delicious meal that features tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta coated in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. It's ideal for a weeknight dinner and comes together with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12-16 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Fresh parsley finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or a pat of butter, for cooking chicken)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or pan
  • Tongs
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil, then cook fettuccine until al dente according to package directions, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through; remove chicken and set aside, leaving browned bits in the skillet.
  3. Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the skillet, and once melted, sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer while whisking, and let it thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth, and add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency, then season with salt and pepper.
  5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add drained pasta and toss gently until fully coated, adding more reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy your Easy Chicken Alfredo Dinner.

Notes

For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the Alfredo sauce. You can also experiment with other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni if you don't have fettuccine on hand. Ensure you don't overheat the sauce after adding Parmesan, as it can cause the cheese to clump. Freshly grated Parmesan makes a significant difference in taste and texture.