Description
Creamy comfort food with tender fettuccine in a rich, buttery Parmesan sauce topped with juicy pan-seared chicken. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights and date nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz dried fettuccine pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
- ½ tsp black pepper, divided
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 2½ oz), plus extra for serving
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil salted water and cook fettuccine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Season chicken with half the salt and pepper. Heat canola oil over medium-high heat, sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked (165°F / 74°C). Rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- Lower heat to medium. Melt 4 tbsp butter in skillet, add garlic, cook 30 seconds. Stir in cream and simmer gently.
- Gradually whisk in Parmesan until creamy (~3 minutes). Season with remaining salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Toss fettuccine in sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess. Stir in remaining 4 tbsp butter for richness.
- Top pasta with sliced chicken and toss gently to coat.
- Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot immediately.
Notes
Cook pasta al dente and add directly to sauce for best texture.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for silky, authentic sauce.
Stir constantly while adding cheese to prevent lumps.
Add pasta water gradually for smooth, glossy finish.
Serve immediately — Alfredo sauce thickens as it cools.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 175mg
Keywords: chicken alfredo pasta, creamy parmesan pasta, classic fettuccine alfredo, easy dinner recipe, rich italian pasta