Description
Ina Garten’s chicken alfredo pasta delivers creamy comfort with classic Italian-inspired elegance. Parmesan, heavy cream, and tender chicken create a luxurious meal you can easily master in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 16 oz (454 g) dry fettuccine pasta
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups (200 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup (113 g) butter, cut into large cubes or slices
- 1 tbsp (15 g) butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook fettuccine until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Chicken Seasoning and Searing: Season chicken breasts with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest briefly, then slice into half-inch medallions.
- Alfredo Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, melt butter and heavy cream over medium-low heat. Whisk in garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring until sauce thickens. Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, whisking until smooth and creamy.
- Sauce Refinement and Pasta Assembly: Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water if needed. Remove from heat and toss fettuccine thoroughly, ensuring complete sauce coverage.
- Plating and Finishing: Arrange pasta on plates, top with sliced chicken. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley, additional Parmesan, and cracked black pepper for an elevated presentation.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy cooking liquid to adjust sauce consistency and enhance flavor depth, adding silky texture to Alfredo.
- Chicken Searing Technique: Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe, juicy results; let rest briefly before slicing to retain moisture.
- Sauce Smoothing Trick: Gradually add Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously to prevent clumping and create a luxuriously creamy sauce.
- Herb Enhancement: Layer dried Italian seasoning throughout cooking stages to build complex, aromatic flavor profile in both chicken and sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 873
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1160 mg
- Fat: 56 g
- Saturated Fat: 30 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg