Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and classic Italian pasta dish made with creamy, rich Alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta. This mouth-watering pasta recipe has been a favorite among food enthusiasts for years and continues to grace the menu of various restaurants, bistros, and homes to this day.
The dish has a fascinating history that can be traced back to Rome in the early 16th century when a man named Alfredo di Lelio created it for his wife, who was experiencing difficulty eating during her pregnancy. He was inspired to mix butter and Parmesan cheese to add softness and texture to her meals, which ultimately gave rise to the world-renowned Alfredo sauce.
Today, Chicken Alfredo is a popular dinner option for people who love a creamy and cheesy pasta dish. Its popularity has only increased, with variations of the recipe popping up in various cuisines and cultures worldwide. Whether it’s a date night or a family dinner, Chicken Alfredo is always a crowd-pleaser.
1. Creamy and indulgent: The combination of cream, butter, and cheese in the Alfredo sauce creates a rich and velvety texture that is sure to satisfy any craving for comfort food.
2. Perfectly seasoned chicken: The chicken is seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs, giving it a savory and flavorful taste that perfectly complements the creamy Alfredo sauce.
3. Easy to customize: This recipe is a great starting point for creating your own unique version of chicken Alfredo. Add vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms for extra nutrition or swap out the chicken for shrimp, tofu, or your favorite protein. The possibilities are endless!
Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound (453.6 g) chicken breasts
- 1 pound (453.6 g) fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup (241.4 g) heavy cream
- 1 cup (101.4 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook fettuccine pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream and whisk until well combined.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese and continue to whisk until sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked fettuccine to the sauce and stir until the pasta is fully coated.
- Serve hot and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Data source: USDA
Ingredients Explained
| Ingredients | Description | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Fettuccine pasta | Long, narrow pasta noodles | Linguine, Tagliatelle, Pappardelle |
| Butter | Fat from milk or cream | Margarine, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Ghee |
| Garlic | Pungent, fragrant bulb | Garlic Powder, Shallot, Onion |
| Chicken Breasts | Lean cuts of chicken | Chicken Thighs, Tofu, Shrimp, Salmon |
| Heavy Cream | Thick, fatty cream | Coconut Cream, Cashew Cream, Almond Milk Cream |
| Parmesan Cheese | Savory, hard cheese | Pecorino Romano, Asiago, Grana Padano, Vegan Parmesan Cheese |
| Salt and Pepper | Essential seasonings | Garlic Salt, Himalayan Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Paprika |
| Fresh Parsley | Mild, leafy herb | Basil, Cilantro, Spinach, Kale, Chives |
Here is some general information about the potential health benefits of some of the ingredients that could be found in a Chicken Alfredo Recipe.
– Chicken: Chicken is a good source of protein that can help build and repair body tissues. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins and iron.
– Garlic: Garlic contains compounds that can help boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve heart health.
– Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. It can also help strengthen bones and teeth.
– Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is high in saturated fats and calories, so it should be consumed in moderation. However, it also contains nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium.
– Pasta: Pasta is mainly a source of carbohydrates that provide energy for the body. However, choosing whole grain pasta can also provide fiber, which can help improve digestion and lower the risk of heart disease.
It’s important to note that while some of these ingredients have potential health benefits, a Chicken Alfredo recipe is generally high in calories, fat, and sodium. Consuming this type of dish regularly as part of a balanced diet may contribute to weight gain and health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Sources:
– https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323997#Benefits
Storage Tips
In general, chicken Alfredo can last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator if stored properly in an airtight container.
To store in the freezer, place the Alfredo chicken in an airtight container or a freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.
To defrost, place the container or bag in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Reheat the Alfredo chicken on the stovetop or microwave until it’s hot all the way through. Remember, always follow standard food safety practices while storing and reheating any dish.
Budgeting Tips
Here are some tips to save money while making a Chicken Alfredo recipe:
1. Buy ingredients in bulk if you are planning to use them for other recipes.
2. Look for deals on chicken. You can save money by buying chicken on sale or buying in bulk and freezing it for later use.
3. Make your own Alfredo sauce instead of buying it premade, as the ingredients can be expensive. You can search for recipes online that use basic pantry staples.
4. Use regular pasta instead of fresh pasta as it is cheaper.
5. Use canned or frozen vegetables instead of fresh vegetables.
6. Cook at home instead of going out to eat. Homemade meals are generally less expensive than eating out.
7. Plan and prep ahead of time. This way you can make sure you have all the ingredients you need and avoid buying anything unnecessarily.
8. Measure ingredients to avoid wastage and overspending.
Overall, with careful planning and smart shopping, you can save money while still enjoying a delicious Chicken Alfredo meal.
Time Saving TIps
1. Use store-bought alfredo sauce instead of making the sauce from scratch.
2. Purchase pre-cooked chicken strips or rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking the chicken.
3. Cook the pasta a few minutes less than the recommended time to save time on boiling water and cooking pasta.
4. Use a pressure cooker or instant pot to cook the chicken and pasta together to save time.
5. Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to use.
6. Use frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones to save time on cutting and cooking vegetables.
7. Don’t add any extra ingredients or garnishes for time-saving purposes.
8. Use a pre-made garlic bread or skip it altogether.
9. Double the recipe and freeze leftovers for another quick meal.
10. Use a slow cooker to make the chicken alfredo sauce while running errands or working from home.
Recipe Variations
1. Shrimp Alfredo: This variation replaces chicken with shrimp. Cook the shrimp separately, then add it to the sauce along with the cooked pasta.
2. Vegetarian Alfredo: This variation removes chicken entirely and replaces it with vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. Cook the vegetables in the sauce and add them to the cooked pasta.
3. Vegan Alfredo: This variation removes dairy products from the sauce and replaces them with ingredients like cashew cream, nutritional yeast, and plant-based milk.
4. Garlic Alfredo: This variation adds extra garlic to the sauce for a stronger flavor.
5. Spicy Alfredo: This variation adds red pepper flakes or diced hot peppers to the sauce to give it a kick.
6. Alfredo with spinach: This variation adds a handful of spinach leaves to the sauce at the end for some extra nutrition and color.
7. Fettuccine Alfredo: This variation uses fettuccine pasta instead of the more traditional spaghetti.
8. Alfredo with sun-dried tomatoes: This variation adds sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce to give it a tangy flavor.
9. Alfredo with bacon: This variation adds crispy bacon bits to the sauce for an extra crunch.
10. Alfredo with pesto: This variation mixes pesto into the sauce for a more herbaceous flavor.
What To Serve With
Some common options to serve with Chicken Alfredo include:
– A side salad with a light, tangy dressing
– Roasted or steamed vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini
– Garlic bread or breadsticks for dipping in the Alfredo sauce
– A fruity white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay to complement the creamy sauce
– A light dessert such as fresh berries or sorbet to balance out the richness of the meal.
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