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Creamy 30-Minute Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

A serving of rich chicken fettuccine alfredo pasta topped with fresh parsley and black pepper.
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Make a rich, restaurant-quality Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo quickly for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound fettuccine pasta
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3 minutes to slightly thicken.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in the nutmeg, if using.
  7. Add the cooked chicken and the drained fettuccine to the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
  8. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a Cajun variation, add 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to the chicken before cooking.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese does not melt as smoothly into the sauce.
  • To make a lower-fat version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-recipe-30-minute/