Imagine a restaurant-quality meal that comes together faster than you can order takeout, with zero complicated techniques and minimal cleanup. This Simple One Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pasta is your ticket to a luxurious dinner that looks and tastes like it took hours to prepare, but secretly takes just 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for busy weeknights, date nights, or when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a creamy, indulgent pasta dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the diced chicken breast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add fettuccine pasta and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is mostly submerged in the cream.
- Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and cream has slightly thickened.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce becomes creamy. If sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to thin.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and gently fold into the pasta, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot directly from the skillet.
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken to achieve proper browning
- Stir pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent sticking
- If sauce becomes too thick, reserve some pasta water to help thin and create a silky texture
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and preventing sauce from burning
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow sauce to thicken slightly
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 750kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 45g
Fat: 48g
Saturated Fat: 28g
Cholesterol: 220mg
