Description
Olive Garden’s legendary Chicken Alfredo delivers creamy pasta perfection with tender chicken and rich parmesan sauce. Homemade comfort meets restaurant-style indulgence, inviting you to savor each luxurious, cheesy bite right from your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine pasta
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
Cooking Fats and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
Spices and Garnish:
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, preparing the fettuccine according to package guidelines. Carefully extract and preserve a half cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium flame. Season chicken generously with salt and freshly ground pepper, then sear until achieving a rich golden exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to cutting board and slice into elegant strips.
- Utilize the identical skillet, reducing heat and introducing butter. Incorporate minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence and become translucent without browning.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, complementing with freshly cracked black pepper and a whisper of nutmeg. Allow mixture to gently simmer, developing depth and consistency for 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until completely dissolved and sauce transforms into a luxuriously smooth texture. Modulate sauce consistency by introducing reserved pasta water as needed.
- Delicately fold cooked fettuccine into the creamy Alfredo sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated. Artfully arrange sliced chicken atop the pasta.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley as a vibrant finishing touch and serve immediately while temperature remains optimal.
Notes
- Always salt the pasta water generously to enhance the overall flavor of the dish, creating a more delicious base for your Alfredo.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged for a richer, more authentic taste that melts more smoothly into the sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use Greek yogurt to maintain creaminess while reducing calories.
- Consider adding roasted vegetables like broccoli or spinach to boost nutritional value and create a more balanced meal that feels less indulgent.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 749
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 703 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 157 mg