Description
Ina Garten’s chicken alfredo elevates classic Italian pasta with creamy richness and elegant simplicity. Home cooks can master this comforting dish that promises restaurant-quality flavor without complex techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 16 ounces (454 grams) dry fettuccine pasta
- 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup butter, cut into large cubes or slices
- 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook fettuccine for 9-11 minutes until achieving perfect al dente texture. Carefully reserve some starchy cooking liquid, then drain pasta and set aside.
- Chicken Transformation: Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a spacious nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes until developing a golden caramel crust. Introduce butter, flip, and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until reaching 165°F (74°C). Rest chicken for 3 minutes, then slice into elegant 1/2-inch strips.
- Alfredo Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, craft a luxurious sauce by melting butter with heavy cream over medium-low heat. Whisk in minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently without boiling, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes. Gradually incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency. Adjust sauce texture with reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Final Composition: Toss cooked fettuccine with Alfredo sauce, ensuring complete and lavish coating. Plate the pasta, crown with sliced chicken strips. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, additional Parmesan cheese shavings, and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper to elevate the dish’s flavor profile.
Notes
- Pasta Water Preservation: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining to help adjust sauce consistency and improve overall texture.
- Chicken Searing Technique: Ensure chicken develops a golden-brown crust by using medium-high heat and avoiding overcrowding the skillet for perfect caramelization.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk continuously while making Alfredo sauce to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, creamy texture without separating.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Add Parmesan cheese gradually and off direct heat to create a silky sauce that doesn’t become grainy or clumpy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 817
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 837 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 59 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 171 mg