Quick Chicken Alfredo with Garlic and Parmesan
Tender chicken breast sautéed with garlic and tossed with fettuccine in a smooth Parmesan cream sauce for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs fettuccine pasta, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2, skinless and boneless, sliced into 1/2-inch strips chicken breasts
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz fettuccine pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 sliced chicken breasts (1/2-inch strips) and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, bringing to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Step 5: Gradually whisk in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Add the cooked fettuccine and reserved 1/2 cup pasta water to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Step 7: Serve immediately garnished with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Chicken Alfredo with Garlic and Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Quick Chicken Alfredo with Garlic and Parmesan?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fettuccine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Chicken Alfredo with Garlic and Parmesan?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Quick Chicken Alfredo with Garlic and Parmesan for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Quick Chicken Alfredo with Garlic and Parmesan?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
