Creamy Alfredo Pasta with Grilled Chicken (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken paired with rich, creamy Alfredo pasta. An irresistible comfort dish ready in just 40 minutes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Alfredo Sauce and Pasta
07 - 12 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
15 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Season with nutmeg if using, salt, and pepper. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually.
04 - Add cooked pasta to the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat evenly. Plate pasta and top with sliced grilled chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce clings perfectly to each strand of pasta in a way that store-bought versions never quite manage.
- You can prep the chicken in advance, making this impressive dish actually doable on busy weeknights when you need comfort food the most.
02 -
- Never rinse the pasta after cooking or youll wash away the starches that help the sauce stick to each strand.
- If your sauce looks grainy, you likely added the cheese when the cream was too hot, so next time lower the heat completely before adding the Parmesan.
03 -
- Warm your serving plates in a low oven before plating, as Alfredo sauce thickens quickly when it hits a cold surface.
- For a lighter version that still tastes indulgent, substitute half the cream with chicken broth and add a tablespoon of cream cheese for body.