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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
Cook Time 30 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

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

Instructions
 

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.

Notes

  • 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