Simple One-Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pasta
A quick and comforting one-skillet meal combining tender chicken, fettuccine pasta, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this creamy dish is perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup and versatile options to suit various dietary needs.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-skillet cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Proteins
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta (or gluten-free alternative)
Sauce & Liquids
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or vegan alternative)
Seasonings & Garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet with a bit of oil over medium-high heat, then cook the chicken 5-7 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove chicken from skillet and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden to build the base flavor for the sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add uncooked fettuccine, pressing it down to submerge. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and liquid has thickened.
- Combine and Finish: Return sliced chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture and stir gently until sauce is creamy and coats the pasta and chicken evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a fresh finish and extra color. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor instead of pre-minced.
- Cook pasta uncovered briefly at times to prevent overcooking and sticking.
- Stir occasionally during pasta cooking to avoid clumping and ensure even cooking.
- Add Parmesan cheese gradually at the end for a silky melt.
- Keep heat low after adding cream to prevent curdling or sauce separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: Chicken Alfredo, One-Skillet Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Weeknight Dinner, Quick Alfredo Sauce, Gluten-Free Pasta Recipe