Dinner

Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe

ByElena Hart October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

Introduction

Easy Chicken Alfredo is a comforting and creamy pasta dish that comes together quickly on any weeknight. Tender chicken and rich Alfredo sauce combine perfectly with fettuccine for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.

A close-up view of creamy fettuccine pasta mixed with slices of cooked chicken on a round white plate. The pasta is coated in a smooth off-white sauce with specks of black pepper and small green parsley pieces sprinkled on top. The chicken slices are light beige with a slightly browned surface and are scattered evenly over the pasta. A vintage fork with a dark handle is lifting a twirl of pasta and chicken pieces from the plate. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with blurry green leaves in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (diced into 1-inch cubes or whole)
2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 1 clove)
1/2 pound fettuccine

1/4 cup salted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups half and half

1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using whole chicken breasts, cook each side for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through. Season chicken with salt and black pepper, and add minced garlic during the last few minutes. If using diced chicken, cook it with salt, pepper, and garlic until golden brown, about 6–8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and reduce heat to low.
Step 2: Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Reserve some pasta water to thin sauce if needed.

Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour and increase heat to medium, whisking until the mixture turns light golden, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Gradually whisk in half and half, then add granulated garlic and salt. Bring to a simmer while whisking continuously.
Step 5: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.

Step 6: Return chicken to the sauce. If using whole breasts, slice them before adding back. Simmer for 2 more minutes. Adjust sauce thickness by adding more half and half or chicken broth for thinner consistency, or extra Parmesan for thicker.
Step 7: Serve chicken and Alfredo sauce over cooked fettuccine. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce while simmering.

Substitute half and half with heavy cream for a richer sauce.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for gluten sensitivities.
Add steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetable boost.

Storage

Store leftover chicken Alfredo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of half and half or milk to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving at high heat to prevent sauce separation.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a creamy chicken alfredo pasta in a pan. The dish has long, flat pasta noodles coated in a rich, pale cream sauce with smooth texture. There are several pieces of white chicken chunks mixed evenly throughout the noodles. The dish is sprinkled with small bits of green parsley and black pepper for color contrast. A pair of black tongs holds the pasta gently from the bottom right corner. The pan has a light scuff mark at the edges, and the background features a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before cooking to ensure safety and proper texture.

How can I make the Alfredo sauce thicker or thinner?

To thicken the sauce, add more grated Parmesan cheese or cook it a bit longer to reduce. For a thinner sauce, stir in additional half and half or chicken broth until you reach the desired consistency.