Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo made with crispy Parmesan crusted chicken swaddled in luxuriously creamy parmesan sauce โ€“ it doesnโ€™t get any better than this!

This Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo recipe looks and tastes gourmet (perfect for upcoming Motherโ€™s Day or Fatherโ€™s Day 😉) but is quick, easy and will have everyone head over heels in love!  This recipe features golden, crispy, panko, Parmesan crusted chicken breasts (pan-fried, baked or air fried) and the dreamiest, creamiest Parmesan garlic Alfredo sauce.  This dizzyingly delicious duo is comfort food at its most addictive, ready in just over 45 minutes! Serve this cozy Chicken Fettuccine with Caesar salad or roasted Parmesan broccoli along with some Parmesan breadsticks for a complete meal the whole family will adore!

Alfredo is one of lifeโ€™s decadently delicious pleasures.  If you love Alfredo as much as we do, donโ€™t miss classic Fettuccine Alfredo, Blackened Chicken AlfredoLemon Garlic Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo, Million Dollar Chicken Alfredo Bake, and Cajun Chicken Alfredo. If you are looking for a lighter version, I created a low-fat fettuccine alfredo called healthy Alfredo HERE.

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Watch: How to make Chicken Alfredo

top view of chicken fettuccine alfredo with crispy panko chicken


 
creamy chicken fettuccine alfredo with chicken tossed in the easy pasta

Ingredients for Chicken Alfredo Pasta

The Parmesan crusted chicken

The succulent crispy chicken makes this the BEST recipe in my opinion.  Think of it as Chicken Parmigiana but served over fettuccine Alfredo instead.  Hereโ€™s why this chicken is so epic:

  • Thinly pounded chicken = extra tender chicken
  • Thin chicken = quick cooking chicken
  • All panko breadcrumb coating = supremely crunchy chicken
  • Seasoned panko = standalone flavorful chicken
  • Freshly grated Parmesan = more tantalizingly flavorful chicken

CHICKEN ingredients

This Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo recipe is made with easy-to-find, pantry friendly ingredients.  For the chicken and breading you will need:

  • Chicken breasts: Use two medium, boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half to create four cutlets. Thin cutlets cook more quickly and evenly so the chicken is cooked through by the time the outside is golden and crispy.
  • Flour:  The chicken is first lightly dredged in flour to give it a clingy surface for the eggs to bind to.  I use all-purpose flour, but Iโ€™m sure gluten free flour, almond flour, etc. would also work.
  • Eggs: Two eggs whisked together act as a sticky glue for all of the breadcrumbs to adhere to.  When the egg proteins cook and solidify, the panko is secured onto the chicken.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: Panko is a Japanese breadcrumb sold in every grocery store next to the other breadcrumbs. It is the secret behind extra crunchy chicken.
  • Parmesan cheese:  The grated cheese is added to the panko and melts into the breading as it cooks.  Use freshly grated Parmesan grated on the finest hole of your grater so it becomes powdery. 
  • Seasonings: The chicken is seasoned with dried parsley, dried basil, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper so it’s scrumptious all on its own.
  • Olive oil: The oil is used to cook the chicken until crispy in the skillet or to coat the panko before toasting if baking.
  • Butter: You donโ€™t have to use butter but it does add a decadent finish. Use unsalted butter otherwise reduce the salt in the recipe.
showing how to make chicken fettuccine alfredo by slicing crispy pan fried chicken on a cutting board

The best ALFREDO SAUCE

The Alfredo sauce comes from my classic Fettuccine Alfredo recipe which leaves restaurant versions in the dust; store-bought Alfredo doesnโ€™t even compare.

Most Alfredo sauces are made with only 3 ingredients which means they are lacking in both flavor and texture.  This recipe includes extra seasonings, cream cheese and chicken broth to make it ultra-creamy without feeling as heavy โ€“ AKA more delicious. And the best part?  It takes less than 15 minutes to make!

Alfredo Sauce Ingredients

  • Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can salt to taste.  If you only have salted butter, then use less salt and salt to taste after you add the pasta.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic is sautรฉed over medium-low heat with the butter to infuse the sauce with garlicky goodness.  I highly suggest fresh garlic as opposed to powder in this recipe.  I use 6 cloves garlic for a real garlic kick, but use more or less depending on your garlic love.  You may substitute with 1 teaspoon garlic powder โ€“ but the real stuff is so much better.
  • Heavy cream: Also known as heavy whipping cream, is the signature ingredient in Alfredo sauce. It makes for an ultra-rich, creamy, decadent pasta.
  • Chicken broth:  Broth is more flavorful than just heavy cream and has less calories. In my classic Alfredo recipe, I use milk but because weโ€™re combining it with chicken in this recipe, chicken broth is the more flavorful choice. Use reduced sodium chicken broth so we can control the salt.
  • Cornstarch: This speedy thickening agent allows us to make the Chicken Alfredo โ€œsaucierโ€ without adding more cups of cream.  The cornstarch helps thicken the broth so the sauce maintains its coveted lusciously creamy consistency.   
  • Parmesan cheese: For optimal salty nuttiness, use real Parmigiano-Reggiano right off of the block and not any powdered or pre-shredded cheeses.  Pre-shredded cheeses are coated with anti-clumping chemicals which prevent them from melting completely, leaving your sauce grainy no matter how long you cook it.  Plus, these cheeses donโ€™t taste nearly as good! Parmigiano-Reggiano is Parmesan produced in Italy in one of the following areas: Bologna, Mantua, Modena, or Parma that has been aged for at least two years.  In the U.S. you can still find tasty โ€œParmesan,โ€ but it is not regulated, and typically only aged 10 months so itโ€™s not as flavorful/complex. 
  • Cream cheese:  This optional ingredient gives the Alfredo sauce extra body and makes the sauce extra smooth and creamy so it just melts in your mouth.  I also love the slight tanginess it adds.
  • Seasoning: Without seasonings, all you have is bland, creamy Chicken Fettuccine! Salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasonings and red pepper flakes really level up the recipe.

WHAT PAN SHOULD I USE FOR THIS RECIPE?

You will need a large nonstick saucepan for pan frying the chicken, otherwise the Parmesan in the coating can stick and burn because we’re not using a ton of oil.  You can cook the sauce in the same pan or in a larger pan that will hold all of the sauce, pasta and chicken like I did here.

  • Use a different pasta: Swap in any pasta, either long spaghetti, medium-short sturdy pastas such as penne, fusilli, rotini etc. or ravioli or tortellini.  You can use classic pasta, whole-wheat pasta, gluten free pasta. 
  • Fresh pasta:  If you really want an elevated dish, splurge on fresh fettuccine! Some grocery stores carry fresh pasta, but many do not.  Whole Foods often has fresh fettuccine in the prepared foods section where youโ€™ll see all the fresh pasta options available that day.
  • Use different chicken:  Swap the crispy chicken for plain chicken dredged in flour and the same seasonings but without the eggs and panko. You can also use leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken or your favorite chicken recipe like blackened chicken, balsamic chicken, lemon basil chicken, lemon pepper chicken, etc.
  • Use a heavy cream substitute: Swap the heavy cream for evaporated milk mixed with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Just remember that fat equals flavor so the cream sauce wonโ€™t taste quite as decadent.
  • Use lighter Alfredo: Use this lighter Alfredo sauce recipe that uses a roux instead of heavy cream.
  • Add bacon:  Cook the bacon, remove with a slotted spoon and use some of the bacon grease instead of oil if desired.  Add the cooked and crumbled bacon at the end of cooking.
  • Add seafood:  Swap all or some of the chicken for sautรฉed shrimp, blackened shrimp, buttery salmon, or crab.
  • Add sausage:  Swap the chicken for ground Italian sausage or andouille sausage.
  • Add cheese: Mix up the flavor profile by using half Parmesan and half Pecorino Romano (this is what they do at Olive Garden) add mozzarella, Gruyere, Gouda, or Asiago.
  • Add flavorings: Add a splash of lemon juice or pesto.
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes: Purchase the sun-dried tomatoes in a jar packed in oil, not water, located near the olives or pickles at your grocery store. Rinse about ยฝ cup sun-dried tomatoes, pat dry, chop and sautรฉ with the garlic. 
  • Add fresh or fire roasted diced tomatoes:  Sautรฉ halved cherry tomatoes or chopped fresh Roma tomatoes with the garlic.
  • Add veggies: Add any chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, cherry tomatoes, peas etc. and sautรฉ them with the garlic.  If using frozen peas, thaw and stir in with the Parmesan to warm through.  If adding spinach, add to the sauce at the end of cooking; allow to wilt 1-2 minutes.  Adding volume in vegetables means you need to decrease the chicken.  
  • Add mushrooms:  Pan fry sliced baby Bella mushrooms, remove from the skillet then add back to the sauce at the end of cooking. Check out my mushroom chicken recipe to see exactly how I cook perfectly caramelized mushrooms.
  • Spice it up: Add additional red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste. 
chicken fettuccine with pan seared chicken on a bowl of creamy fettuccine alfredo

How to make Chicken Alfredo

Letโ€™s take a closer look at how to make this Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo recipe with step-by-step photos or you can watch the HOW-TO VIDEO in the recipe card (full recipe measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post:

STEP 1: MAKE CHICKEN CUTLETS

Chicken cutlets are important because: 1) pounding the chicken makes it more tender by breaking up the tissues, 2) the pounded uniform thickness allows the chicken to cook evenly, 3) the thinner chicken cooks more quickly so the interior of the chicken is cooked by the time the exterior is golden.  Hereโ€™s how to make the cutlets:

  • Lay the chicken flat on a cutting board and hold it in place with the palm of your hand.  Carefully slice through the center horizontally (parallel to the cutting board) to create two fillets. I find it easiest to start at the thin end and then work towards the thicker end. Repeat with the second chicken breasts to create four cutlets.
  • Place the cutlets next to each other on a flat surface and top with plastic wrap.
  • Gently pound the chicken to an even thickness using the smooth side of a mallet, rolling pin, or side of a can. We are looking for about ยผ-ยฝ-inch thick. 
showing how to make chicken fettuccine Alfredo recipe by pounding chicken cutlets into fillets with a meat mallet

STEP 2: bread the CHICKEN

  • Line up 3 shallow dishes. In BOWL 1: add flour, BOWL 2: whisk eggs, BOWL 3: mix panko, Parmesan cheese and all Chicken seasonings. Note, if baking, you will toast the panko first in the oven.
  • Working with one chicken fillet at a time, dip both sides of the chicken into the flour, followed by the egg (let excess drip off) followed by the panko. Press the panko firmly into the chicken so itโ€™s evenly coated and breadcrumbs stick. Place finished chicken on parchment paper.
a collage showing how to make chicken fettuccine alfredo by 1) dredging the chicken in flour, 2) dipping in egg, 3) mixing panko with Parmesan and seasonings and 4) coating the chicken in the panko

Step 3. How to cook chicken for Chicken Alfredo

You have three options for cooking the chicken:

  • Shallow pan fry:  will taste the most decadently delicious
  • Bake:  still delicious thanks to tossing the panko with olive oil and toasting first but not quite as crispy; it is the only option that cooks all the chicken at once
  • Air fry: is the healthiest and crispier than baking but not quite as lux tasting as the other two options because it doesn’t have olive oil

to pan fry

Working in batches, cook the chicken in olive oil until golden and crispy, on the bottom, about 3-4 minutes, flip the chicken over, then add 1 tablespoon of optional butter for extra deliciousness.ย  Continue to cook until golden and cooked through, another 3-4 minutes.

showing how to make chicken fettuccine Alfredo by pan frying the chicken in a skillet until crispy and golden

Step 4. How to make Chicken Alfredo Sauce

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat then add the fresh garlic and sautรฉ for 30 seconds.

Whisk in the heavy cream, chicken broth whisked with cornstarch, cream cheese and all seasonings. Cook over medium-low until melted and smooth.  This will take a few minutes for the cream cheese to melt completely. 

Add the grated Parmesan cheese a handful at time in 4 batches, whisking until smooth in between each addition.  Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until it starts to thicken and the Parmesan is completely melted.  If youโ€™re using fresh garlic, donโ€™t confuse the minced garlic for stubborn Parmesan.  

a collage showing how to make chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe by 1) cooking garlic in butter, 2) adding heavy cream and cream cheese, 3) adding Parmesan and 4) adding fettuccine

STEP 5: combine

  • Add fettuccine and toss until well coated in sauce, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency (for extra decadence, use heavy cream instead of pasta water).
  • You can either add the chicken on top of the pasta in the pan or to individual servings. Garnish with parsley and dig in!
alfredo recipe by combining the Alfredo sauce with the fettuccine
top view of adding chicken to fettuccine chicken alfredo showing how crispy it is

meal prep CHICKEN fettuccine

This Fettuccine Alfredo Chicken can be prepared in stages then combined when ready to serve. Prep all or some of the following for a dinner that comes together in minutes:

Pasta: Cook the fettuccine al dente, drain, rinse and toss with oil to prevent it from clumping.ย  Cool completely then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to toss with the warmed sauce.

Bread chicken:ย Bread chicken and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheetย in a single layerย and tightly cover with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.ย  Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. ย 

Alfredo sauce:ย  The sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย ย When ready to use, gently rewarm in a skillet, adding additional milk or broth as needed to thin.

up close of chicken in chicken fettuccine alfredo showing how crispy and juicy it is

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo FAQs

This Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is pretty straightforward, but below youโ€™ll find answers to commonly asked questions to satisfy your curiosity and guarantee success:

What is Chicken Alfredo?

Fettuccine Alfredoย (Italian pronunciation: [fettutโ€™tสƒiหne alหˆfreหdo]) or fettuccine al burro (โ€œfettuccine with butterโ€) has come to mean fettuccine pasta tossed in a rich, smooth and creamy white sauce in the United States.ย  In Italy, however, it means fresh fettuccine tossed with butter and Parmesan cheese without any heavy cream.

Who is Fettuccine Alfredo named after?

Fettuccine Alfredo is named after Alfredo di Lelio, who invented the dish in Rome in 1907.ย  According to accounts, Alfredo added extra butter along with Parmesan to pasta in efforts to entice his wife to eat after giving birth.ย  The dish was aptly named โ€œfettuccine al triplo burro,โ€ย and later โ€œfettuccine allโ€™Alfredoโ€ or โ€œfettuccine Alfredo.โ€ A few years later, in 1914, Alfredo opened his own restaurant,ย Alfredo alla Scrofa, then called โ€œAlfredoโ€, which featured- you guessed it โ€“ fettuccine Alfredo!

Is this recipe authentic?

No, you have to look to Italian versions made without any heavy cream for that!ย  My recipe elevates Americanized versions with the addition of garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.ย  It also uses both heavy cream and milk whisked with cornstarch as well as a little cream cheese to create a rich, indulgent sauce that is slightly less naughty, but every bit as creamy. ย This homemade fettuccine Alfredo gets rave reviews whenever I make it!

Do I have to pound my chicken to equal thickness?ย 

Yes, pounding the chicken breaks down the muscle fibers and creates much more tender chicken. Pounding the chicken also ensures the chicken cooks evenly.

How to makeย Alfredo Sauce with milk instead of cream?ย 

Heavy cream is a quintessential ingredient to the best homemade fettuccine Alfredo.ย  But if you would like to cut some calories so you can enjoy Alfredo more often, I get it!ย  To use all milk instead of part heavy cream, add 1/4ย cupย all-purpose flour to the butter and cook for 2 minutes before whisking in 2 cups milk and the rest of the ingredients.ย  You can also use 2 tablespoons cornstarch whisked into the 2 cups milk (in addition to the cornstarch already in the recipe) but this doesnโ€™t create as rich of a sauce as flour. Keep in mind, that fat = flavor, so all milk wonโ€™t create quite as a flavorful, decadent, or creamy, melt in your mouth consistency.

How to makeย Alfredo Sauce with half and half instead of heavy cream?

Swap the 2 cups heavy cream with 2 cups half and half whisked with 1 ยฝ tablespoons cornstarch into the half and half before adding to the saucepan.

How to makeย Alfredo sauce without cream cheese?ย ย 

You can absolutely make this recipe without cream cheese; youโ€™ll just want to simmer the sauce a little longer to thicken it up more. ย 

How to thicken Alfredo sauce?ย 

You can control the thickness of your Alfredo sauce by how long you simmer the sauce.ย  The less time you simmer the sauce, the thinner it will be.ย ย  The longer you simmer the sauce, the thicker it will be.ย  If you would still like it thicker after simmering, then make a slurry by whisking 2 tablespoon milk with ยฝ tablespoon cornstarch, then slowly whisking the slurry into the sauce then simmering until thickened to your desired consistency.ย  If your sauce still isnโ€™t as thick as youโ€™d like, then repeat the slurry.

How do I thin fettuccine, Alfredo?ย 

If at any time the Alfredo sauce gets too thick, just add a little splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

How many cups does the Alfredo yield?

The Alfredo sauce makes about 3 ยฝ cups, so itโ€™s perfect to coat 16 ounces of cooked pasta. It is also easy to double.ย  If not using the sauce right away, store it in an airtight container and reheat over medium heat, stirring in additional milk as needed to adjust consistency.

How do I add flavor to Alfredo sauce?ย 

While Alfredo is rich and creamy, sometimes it can be a little bland.ย  In addition to nutty Parmesan cheese, the recipe is seasoned with pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasonings and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Can I add fresh herbs?ย 

Yes!ย  If you would like to use fresh instead of dried herbs, use three times the amount and toss them in at the very end so they donโ€™t lose potency.

How long to cook fettuccine noodles?

Dried fettuccine pasta from the box takes typically takes 8-12 minutes to boil until al dente, but it varies by brand so make sure to test the pasta for doneness.ย  Fresh fettuccine only takes 60-90 seconds to cook in salted, boiling water.

How do you know when pasta is done?ย ย 

Cook the pasta according to package directions on the box, but test the past 1-2 minutes early. I remove a strand of pasta with a slotted spoon, rinse it in cool water and then taste.ย  Donโ€™t be tempted to bite into pasta straight from the boiling pot-you will burn your tongue!ย 

What’s the difference between white sauce and Alfredo sauce?

A white sauce can be any white sauce whether made with a roux, heavy cream, milk or half and half.ย  Traditionally, however, a white sauce is made by cooking flour with some butter to form a paste called a roux, then whisking in milk or cream until smooth.ย  Alfredo, on the other hand, is not thickened by a roux, but instead is made with butter, cream and plenty of Parmesan for the signature nutty flavor.

showing how to serve chicken fettuccine alfredo by adding chicken on top of creamy fettuccine in a bowl

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top view of chicken fettuccine alfredo with crispy panko chicken

Chicken Fettuccine

Thisย Chicken Fettuccine Alfredoย recipe looks and tastes gourmet but is quick, easy and will have everyone head over heels in love!ย  This recipe features golden, crispy, panko, Parmesan crusted chicken breasts (pan-fried, baked or air fried) and the dreamiest, creamiest Parmesan garlic Alfredo sauce.ย  This dizzyingly delicious duo is comfort food at its most addictive, ready in just over 45 minutes! Serve this cozy Chicken Fettuccine classic with Caesar saladย or roasted Parmesan broccoliย along with someย Parmesan breadsticksย for a complete meal the whole family will adore!
Servings: 4 servings
Total Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

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Ingredients

CHICKEN

  • 2 medium chicken breasts (about 24 ounces)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (grated into powder on smallest hole)
  • 1/2 tsp EACH dried parsley, dried basil, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • olive oil (if pan frying or baking)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)

PASTA

  • 1 pound fettuccine
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (1 ยฝ TBS) (may sub 1 tsp ground)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, very soft (optional for even thicker, creamier, or add 1 extra tsp cornstarch)
  • 1 tsp EACH dried basil, dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp EACH onion powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (will not make it spicy)
  • 1 1/2 cups FRESHLY grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano is best)

Instructions

  • Cook pasta: Cook fettuccine al dente in salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain and toss pasta with a drizzle of olive oil if not immediately adding to the sauce (prevents it from clumping).

IF BAKING CHICKEN

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Add panko to a large baking sheet and toss with ยผ cup olive oil until evenly moistened or spray with cooking spray (I suggest olive oil, see Notes). Spread panko into an even layer and bake at 425 degrees F for about 5-7 minutes, or until deeply golden, stirring half way through cooking. Keep an eye on the panko the last few minutes so it doesnโ€™t burn. Transfer toasted panko to a shallow dish.

BREAD CHICKEN

  • Make cutlets: Slice the chicken through the equator to create 4 fillets. Cover with plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness with a meat mallet or side of a can, about 1/4-1/2-inch.
  • Breading stations: Line up 3 shallow dishes. In BOWL 1: add flour, BOWL 2: whisk eggs, BOWL 3: mix panko, Parmesan cheese and all Chicken seasonings.
  • Bread chicken: Working with one chicken cutlet at a time, dip both sides of the chicken into the flour, followed by the egg (let excess drip off) followed by the panko. Press the panko firmly into the chicken so itโ€™s evenly coated and breadcrumbs stick. Place finished chicken on parchment paper.

COOK CHICKEN (Choose One)

  • Pan Fry: Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add two chicken cutlets and reduce heat to medium. Cook until golden and crispy on the bottom, about 3-4 minutes, flip the chicken over, then add 1 tablespoon of butter (optional). Continue to cook another 3-4 minutes, until golden and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F on an instant read thermometer. Transfer chicken to paper towels. Wipe out skillet and repeat.
  • To bake: Top a baking sheet with a wire rack and spray with cooking spray. Space the chicken evenly apart so they aren't touching. Bake at 425 degrees F for 10 minutes, turn each piece over, and continue to bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F on an instant read thermometer.
  • Air fry: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Working in batches, add the chicken to the basket and spray the chicken with cooking spray. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes, flip, spray with cooking spray, and continue to cook an additional 5-7 minutes, until crispy and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F on an instant read thermometer.

ALFREDO SAUCE

  • Note: You can make the Alfredo in the same pan as the chicken or I switched to a larger saucepan to also fit the pasta.
  • Whisk the chicken broth with the cornstarch in a liquid measuring cup (or bowl) until completely smooth; set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sautรฉ for 30 seconds. Whisk in the broth/cornstarch, heavy cream, cream cheese and all seasonings. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until melted and smooth.
  • Add the grated Parmesan cheese a handful at time in 4 batches, whisking until smooth in between each addition. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes or until it starts to thicken and the Parmesan is completely melted. Keep in mind the sauce will continue to thicken once you add the starchy pasta and it's removed from heat.

COMBINE

  • Add the fettuccine and toss to combine (if you're not serving immediately, wait to add the pasta). If at any time the Alfredo sauce gets too thick, just add a little splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  • Taste and season with additional freshly cracked salt and pepper to taste (we like pepper). Add sliced chicken to the pasta or individual servings. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

expert tipsย 

  • Panko breadcrumbs:ย Panko is a Japanese breadcrumb sold in every grocery store next to the other breadcrumbs. Please do not substitute panko breadcrumbs with regular breadcrumbs or you will be missing out on the gorgeous, satisfying CRUNCH that cannot be achieved with regular breadcrumbs.ย 
  • Gluten free: Use your favorite gluten free flour such asย Bob Redโ€™s Mill Baking Flourย and gluten free panko which should be relatively easy to find.ย  My favorite isย Aleiaโ€™s Gluten-Free Pankoย made of rice and potato flour โ€“ itโ€™s spectacularly crunchy!
  • Parmesan: Use real Parmigiano-Reggiano right off of the block and not any powdered or pre-shredded cheeses.ย  Pre-shredded cheeses are coated with anti-clumping chemicals which prevent them from melting completely, leaving your sauce grainy no matter how long you cook it.ย 
  • Keep one hand clean to avoid a gummy mess.Use one โ€œdryโ€ hand when dredging the chicken in flour and panko.ย  Use one โ€œwetโ€ hand to dip the chicken in the eggs.ย  Wash your hands as needed if they start to get gummy.
  • For baking, I prefer olive oil to nonstick cooking sprayย becauseย it gives the panko a richer, more satisfying mouthfeel that tastes more like the chicken has been pan fried.
  • If baking and you donโ€™t have wire rack, line a baking sheet with lightly grease foil and place in the oven to get nice and hot while you bread the chicken.ย  Take care when adding the chicken because your pan will be HOT!
  • Recipe variations: See post for all sorts of ideas to mix up this recipe.

Meal Prep

  • Pasta: Cook the fettuccine al dente, drain, rinse and toss with oil to prevent it from clumping.ย  Cool completely then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to toss with the warmed sauce.
  • Bread chicken: Bread chicken and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheetย in a single layerย and tightly cover with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.ย  Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. ย 
  • Alfredo sauce:ย  The sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย ย When ready to use, gently rewarm in a skillet, adding additional milk or broth as needed to thin.

How to store and reheat

  • Storage:ย  Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 4-5 five days.ย I do not recommend freezing the sauce because a cream, butter, and cheese-based sauce is destined to become grainy when thawed. You may freeze the chicken separately for up to three months.
  • To reheat the pasta:ย ย Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or over medium-low on the stove, stirring frequently. You may want to add a splash of milk if the pasta seems dry.
  • To reheat the chicken: ย Air fry in a single layer at 400 degrees for about 3 minutes or bake at 390 for 3-5 minutes.

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18 Comments

  1. JB says

    Love this recipe…and blog for that matter!! My family has been begging me to make the bolognese lasagna again. They love it. Now adding this alfredo (only made the sauce) to my recipe box. Picking another recipe to try now!!! Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jen says

      I am so thrilled you and your family have been loving the recipes! I hope you keep finding ones to love:)

  2. Tori says

    This is the most amazing chicken Alfredo I have ever had! I highly recommend this recipe.

    • Jen says

      Thanks so much Tori, I love hearing that!!

  3. Lisa says

    I made this dish today and doubled the recipe for company. Can I say delicious!? Decadent! Rich! Creamy! I had 8 people and we literally licked the plates! Absolutely delicious! Will certainly make again!!! Thank you!! Love your recipes!!

    • Jen says

      I love that Lisa, thank you so much!!!

  4. Anne says

    Another great super tasty and flavourful recipe! Highly recommend!

  5. Sharon Pennington says

    I used shredded Parmesan from Samโ€™s Club and it worked perfectly! This sauce was incredible. Iโ€™ve never before eaten such a delicious pasta sauce, much less gotten to make it myself! Itโ€™s so rich and flavorful and smooth! Someone else commented and mentioned licking their platesโ€ฆ yup, that happened here, too. Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for your amazing review, Sharon! I am so happy to hear the Alfredo was plate-licking-worthy! I hope you find more delicious recipes to enjoy!

  6. Nadia Petryuk says

    I didnโ€™t have chicken broth so instead I used one cup of the pasta water and mixed the cornstarch.
    It was so so good!

    • Jen says

      Thank you, Nadia! I’m so glad your substitution worked, and that you enjoyed this recipe!

  7. John N. says

    My grandson requested chicken fettuccini Alfredo for his birthday dinner. I made this recipe last evening. I brined the chicken first to keep it from getting dry. The dinner was a big hit. Iโ€™ll be making this again.

    • Jen says

      What a wonderful grandpa! I am so glad it will be a repeat!

  8. Hilary Vardy says

    This is an amazing recipe. Thank you for posting. The only thing I did differently was add mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. Personal preference only.

    • Jen says

      Those sound like amazing additions! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!

  9. John N. says

    My grandsonโ€™s new wife requested shrimp fettuccini Alfredo for her birthday dinner, so I used this Alfredo sauce recipe this evening. This sauce is killer! Everyone loved it! Definitely a keeper recipe. Thanks!

    • Jen says

      I’m so glad it made for a successful birthday dinner! Thanks for sharing!