Homemade Chicken Alfredo is so easy to make and has the best creamy consistency! Made with tender fettuccini pasta, white meat chicken breasts, and delightfully rich alfredo sauce, this classic Italian dinner is always a huge weeknight hit.
What’s in this Chicken Alfredo Recipe
The best homemade chicken alfredo recipes have a short list of ingredients. Inexpensive kitchen staples come together to make a creamy, flavorful, and easy pasta dinner!
- Chicken Breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast. You can use boneless chicken thighs if you’d prefer.
- Fettuccine: This pasta is a must for classic chicken alfredo! However, you can swap them with any other noodles of your choice if you’d like.
- Olive Oil: I like to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the very best flavor.
- Chicken Stock: Use a low sodium chicken stock. This will help you to be able to control the saltiness of the dish so it’s exactly to your liking.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic will yield much better flavor than pre-minced.
- Heavy Cream: For the best creamy consistency, do not substitute this ingredient with any other dairy product!
- Parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan cheese will create better flavor and consistency than the bagged pre-shredded stuff.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley is the best final touch for this dish! It adds an herbaceous vibrancy that elevates this simple pasta dinner.
- Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice! Anything bottled/from concentrate won’t lend the same tangy fresh flavor.
Pro Tip: Go the extra mile with some homemade chicken stock. It adds the best flavor!
What else can I add to homemade alfredo?
This easy homemade chicken alfredo is my tried and true recipe for the perfect flavor, but you can add some other ingredients for slight variation.
Try mixing in steamed or sautéed broccoli, or a handful of spinach, for more greens. Add some red pepper flakes, either in the sauce or as a finishing touch, for just a tiny bit of heat. Skip the chicken for a vegetarian-friendly fettuccine alfredo.
Fettuccine is my pasta of choice when making homemade chicken alfredo, but there’s certainly room for creativity. Linguini is also a great option and I won’t hold it against you of you choose to use penne! After all, there’s no such thing as bad pasta, right?
Technically, yes. However, keep in mind that the signature creamy consistency of alfredo sauce that we all know and love is created by the addition of heavy cream. Without that key ingredient, your sauce won’t be quite as thick and creamy.
Yes! They are the exact same thing, but different brands title them differently.
How to Store and Reheat
Let your leftover chicken alfredo fully cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Stored properly in the fridge, it will keep for about 2-3 days. Feel free to reheat simply in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time it stops, until reheated all the way through.
How to Freeze
Place homemade chicken alfredo in a freezer-safe container, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let the pasta slowly thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Keep in mind that the texture of the alfredo sauce and noodles may change after freezing.
What to Serve with Homemade Chicken Alfredo
This creamy alfredo pasta pairs well with so many side dishes! Some of my favorites include veggies like lemon parmesan roasted broccoli and crispy garlic asparagus.
Chicken Alfredo Recipe (Homemade)
Ingredients
- 1 Chicken breast
- 1 pound fettuccine noodles
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Wash chicken breast then pat dry. Cut into thin strips1 Chicken breast
- Boil fettuccine pasta according to box instructions, when ready, set aside.1 pound fettuccine noodles
- Heat a non-stick pan with olive oil and add chicken strips. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown, on medium heat. Remove chicken from pan when ready and set aside3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Add minced garlic and saute for 3 minutes. Deglaze pan with chicken stock, add lemon juice and bring to boil1 ½ cup chicken stock, 1 garlic clove, Juice of 1 lemon
- Add heavy cream, then add the cooked pasta and chicken.1 ½ cup heavy cream
- Add parmesan and stir until everything is well combined.1 cup parmesan
- Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!¼ cup parsley
Not Impressed says
I followed the directions to a T and it turned out runny, and I even added extra cheese. Ended up having to whisk in about a cup to a cup and a half of flour to save it.
Becky Hardin says
I am sorry it didn’t work out for you!
Trina says
This turned out gross!! Family hated it!
Becky Hardin says
I am sorry this didn’t work out for you Trina!
Billy Hazard says
Soupy
Becky Hardin says
Sorry, this didn’t work out for you Billy!
Ashley Sanford says
This recipe was great, however when I added in the Parmesan and the parsley at the end they clumped together and formed little balls that couldn’t be separated. Is there anyway I can save this? Thanks!
Becky Hardin says
You will want to make sure your heat is at the right setting and be sure to spread out the cheese while adding!
Marlyn Newburn says
Doing this for Christmas, other 3 are having steak but my dietary restrictions say no beef or pork. This sounds decadent so I can have it and add side dishes. Thanks
Becky Hardin says
Enjoy!
Mark W says
This is not good…recipe submitted by one of Ann’s “Worst cooks in America”…it is runny, lacks flavor. Here is what it needs: sliced ripe olives, 2 Tbl corn starch, sliced green onions, a bunch of spinach, less cream, dried mustard, 1/2 tsp oregano, dash of red pepper flakes.
Becky Hardin says
I am sorry it isn’t up to your taste, Mark
Googs says
Like so many others who reviewed this recipe, I found the end product soupier than I like, but it wasn’t anything that a Tbsp of corn starch mixed in cold water and 1/2 a block of cream cheese couldn’t cure. One thing to remember, is that this is a very simple recipe and your own spices and flair should be added to taste. Overall, a great base recipe.
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by!
Brittany says
I made this about a week ago and I LOVED IT!!!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Brittany!
Mary Pierce says
mpierce809@att.net
westy vinson says
This is probably one of the worst alfredo recipes I have tried. I am pretty sure the lemon juice makes the cream and cheese curdle and prevents the sauce from tightening up. It was a total waste of time, effort, and ingredients. I was really sorry to tip the whole thing into the trash can.
Becky Hardin says
I am sorry to hear you didn’t have any luck with this recipe. I hope you give others a shot!
Maria says
Fixed n enjoying this recipe eating now mom loves this recipe fixed this 4 my Daughter’s bday dinner who requested this 4 her bday dinner I doubled the ingredients 4 a family of 11 people so far it’s A Hit ty
Becky Hardin says
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing, Maria!