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Creamy One-Pot Chicken Alfredo

creamy one-pot chicken alfredo - featured image

A quick and easy creamy chicken Alfredo made in one pot, perfect for busy weeknights and comforting dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 8 oz uncooked fettuccine pasta, broken in half
  • 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: splash of white wine

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add broken fettuccine and pour in chicken broth. Stir to combine and press pasta down so it is mostly submerged.
  5. Bring to a simmer, cover with lid, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if liquid evaporates too quickly. Pasta should be al dente.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat with sauce. Heat through for 2 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
  9. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing chicken to ensure browning. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Break pasta in half to fit the pot and cook evenly. Stir regularly during pasta cooking to prevent sticking. Add cream and cheese over low heat and stir gently to avoid curdling. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of warm broth or cream to loosen. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added liquid to prevent drying out. Freezing is not recommended due to cream sauce separation.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, chicken Alfredo, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, comfort food