
Chicken Alfredo
Fettuccine in a silky butter, cream and Parmesan sauce, topped with golden pan-seared chicken. An Italian-American favourite that is ready in under 40 minutes.
Published 29 Sep 2026
Ingredients
Equipment: Large pot, large deep frying pan or skillet, tongs, cheese grater, meat thermometer (optional)
Method
Pat the chicken cutlets dry with paper towels. Rub them with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder and oregano, then let them sit at room temperature while you prepare everything else.
Grate the Parmesan, mince the garlic and chop the parsley. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it well, using about 1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 litres.
Heat the olive oil in a large deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes without moving it, until the underside is deep golden.
Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and the centre reaches 74°C with no pink juices. Move it to a board and rest it for 5 minutes, then slice across the grain.
Drop the fettuccine into the boiling water and cook according to the packet until al dente, usually 9 to 11 minutes. Scoop out 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, wipe out the frying pan and reduce the heat to medium-low. Melt the butter, add the garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Pour in the cream and add the nutmeg. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Do not let it boil hard.
Turn the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan a handful at a time until melted and smooth. Add the drained pasta and toss with tongs, adding pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce is glossy and clings to the noodles.
Taste and adjust the salt and pepper. Divide the pasta among four warm plates, top with the sliced chicken and finish with parsley and a little extra Parmesan.
Cooking tips
- Grate the Parmesan yourself from a block. Pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents and can make the sauce grainy.
- Keep the heat low when adding the cheese. High heat makes Parmesan clump and turn oily.
- Slicing the chicken breast into thinner cutlets helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
- The starchy pasta water is what turns the sauce silky, so save it before draining and add it gradually.
Substitutions
- Parmesan: use Grana Padano or a mix of mature cheddar and mozzarella if Parmesan is hard to find, though the flavour will be milder.
- Fresh cream: use 200 ml cream mixed with 100 ml full-fat milk for a lighter sauce.
- Fettuccine: penne, tagliatelle or spaghetti all work.
- Chicken breast: boneless chicken thighs work well and cook for about 2 minutes longer per side.
Serve with
"Serve straight away on warm plates with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil, and garlic bread on the side. A pinch of crushed red chilli flakes adds gentle heat."
Storage
Store pasta and chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Cool within 1 hour of cooking. The sauce thickens as it sits.
Reheating
Reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of milk or water, stirring gently, until piping hot throughout (at least 74°C). Avoid the microwave on high, which can split the sauce.
Nutrition per serving, estimated
Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.
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