Easy Fettuccini Alfredo with Pan-Seared Chicken
This easy Fettuccini Alfredo is creamy and bursting with garlic parmesan flavor! The best part is the sauce only needs 4 ingredients and 30 minutes to make it! This recipe was inspired by Maggiano's Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe but between you and me, I think mine is better! This version also has half the calories compared to your typical Alfredo dish but tastes just as delicious.
Ingredients
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 chicken breasts
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 lb fettuccini noodles
- 2/3 cup reserved pasta water can add a full cup if preferred
- 2/3 cup heavy cream can add a full cup if preferred
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1/2 cup fresh parmesan
- 4 tbsp butter
- parsley garnish
Instructions
- First, pound your chicken breasts until the whole piece is even. Usually the top is always thicker than the bottom so try to match the thickness of the bottom for even cooking time. Season your chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Pan sear on medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes on each side or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. While the chicken is cooking, boil and salt your water.
- Cook the Fettuccini noodles for 2 minutes less than the box instructions say. They will finish cooking in the sauce later. Make sure to reserve a cup or two of the pasta water. In the same pan you cooked the chicken in, add the butter and garlic and cook on low heat. You do not want to burn the garlic or the butter here, you just want them to be fragrant and combined.
- Next, add the cream and the pasta water to the pan. Turn your heat to medium and stir frequently. Now, add your freshly grated parmesan cheese and continue to stir quickly so your sauce will be lump-free. Turn up the heat to high until the sauce starts bubbling then simmer for another couple minutes. (Don't worry if you think the sauce looks thin, your noodles will absorb a lot of it and it will thicken as it sits with the noodles!)
- Lastly, add your pasta noodles and stir for about two minutes until your sauce thickens and the pasta reaches the perfect al dente stage. Salt and pepper to your liking. Stir in some parsley and remove from the heat. Garnish with more parsley and parmesan and serve with the pan-seared chicken breast. Enjoy!