Stovetop Chicken Alfredo with Spinach and Peas
A creamy and cheesy chicken Alfredo pasta enriched with fresh spinach and sweet peas, all cooked together on the stovetop for a quick, kid-friendly meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs fettuccine pasta, divided salt, divided black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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 medium, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup, thawed frozen peas
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz fettuccine and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Season 2 medium cut chicken breast pieces with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken 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 melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Step 5: Slowly pour in 2 cups whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and bubbles gently, about 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Step 7: Add 2 cups fresh baby spinach and 1 cup thawed frozen peas to the sauce, cooking for 2 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Step 8: Return the cooked chicken and drained fettuccine to the skillet, tossing gently to combine and coat with sauce. Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 9: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stovetop Chicken Alfredo with Spinach and Peas take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Stovetop Chicken Alfredo with Spinach and Peas?
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 Stovetop Chicken Alfredo with Spinach and Peas?
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 Stovetop Chicken Alfredo with Spinach and Peas 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 Stovetop Chicken Alfredo with Spinach and Peas?
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.
