Description
This One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken breast cooked alongside fettuccine in a rich Alfredo sauce made with milk, cream, and freshly grated Parmesan. The recipe requires only one skillet, making it a convenient and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 200 g / 7 oz chicken breast, cut in half horizontally
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 250 g / 8 oz fettuccine
- 2 cups milk (any fat percentage)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock / broth
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup thickened / heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Additional freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring even coverage for flavor.
- Heat the skillet: Use a large skillet that can accommodate the pasta. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for 2 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet onto a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Add liquids and garlic: Pour in 2 cups of milk and 1 1/2 cups chicken stock into the skillet. Add the minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add and soften the pasta: Add the fettuccine to the skillet. Stir and move the pasta every 30 seconds to prevent sticking. Continue this until the pasta softens, approximately 3 minutes.
- Simmer pasta: Reduce heat to medium and stir the pasta every couple of minutes. After about 9 to 10 minutes, the pasta should be nearly cooked, and there should still be some liquid covering the bottom of the skillet.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in 1/2 cup thickened cream and 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan. Mix thoroughly to combine the sauce with the pasta.
- Thicken the sauce: Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the pasta is fully cooked. If the sauce becomes too thick or gluggy, add a splash of hot tap water and toss to restore a silky consistency.
- Slice the chicken: Meanwhile, slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips.
- Serve: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topped with sliced chicken, extra Parmesan, and chopped parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Note 1: Thickened or heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the sauce. You may substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option, although the sauce will be less rich.
- Note 2: Freshly grated Parmesan ensures the best flavor and melts smoothly into the sauce.
- If the sauce becomes too thick or sticky, adding a splash of hot water helps restore its silky texture.
- Resting the chicken before slicing helps retain its juices and keeps it tender.
- Stirring the pasta as it cooks prevents it from sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: one pot chicken alfredo, chicken alfredo pasta, creamy chicken pasta, one pot pasta, easy weeknight dinner, fettuccine alfredo
