Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Four chicken cutlets served over fettuccine tossed in a butter-and-cream sauce. Parmesan is divided between the sauce and serving bowls.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
0 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1 1/2 pounds total
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Pasta
- Water as needed for boiling
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt for pasta water
- 12–16 ounces fettuccine
Sauce and Serving
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or less, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese freshly grated, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley chopped
- Extra Parmesan optional garnish
Chicken and Pasta
Halve both chicken breasts horizontally into 4 even cutlets, about 1/2 inch thick. Pat dry and season with the chicken salt, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika.
Heat chicken oil over medium-high heat, add cutlets, and reduce to medium. Cook 3–4 minutes on the first side; flip, add chicken butter, and cook 2–4 minutes more until 165°F, dividing oil and butter equally if using 2 batches.
Rest chicken 5 minutes. Meanwhile, boil fettuccine in water with the pasta salt according to package directions until al dente; reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain.
Sauce and Serving
Melt the sauce butter over medium-low heat and cook garlic 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Add cream, sauce pepper, cayenne, and sauce salt to taste; heat 2–3 minutes until gently bubbling at the edges.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup Parmesan gradually until melted. Toss with drained fettuccine, adding reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time if needed.
Divide pasta among 4 bowls. Slice the rested chicken and add 1 cutlet per bowl; top with parsley and the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.
- Refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 3 days.
- Reheat gently to 165°F with a splash of water, milk, or cream.
- Cream sauce may separate during storage and reheating.
Keyword Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo