Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a creamy and comforting dish of silky pappardelle noodles, butter, garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, and heavy cream, topped with blackened chicken. This pasta is stick-to-your-ribs good!
Chicken Alfredo Pasta with egg pappardelle is one of my go-to’s when I’m craving a simple pasta that’s also hearty and creamy.
This version deviates from authentic Fettuccine Alfredo because it includes a few non-traditional ingredients, like garlic, and blackened chicken.
The addition of the blackened chicken turns this dish into more of a meal than a side dish and while not traditional, I think you’ll love it!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Chicken. Chicken breasts filleted and pounded thin work best here.
- Blackened spice. Blackening is usually associated with Cajun-Creole cuisine and involves cooking meat or seafood in a combination of spices and butter, usually in a cast iron pan, to give it a blackened color. If you can’t find blackened spice, you can use storebought Cajun seasoning, or make your own homemade Cajun seasoning, although keep in mind that it will have more heat than blackened spice.
- Parmigiano Reggiano. Use imported Parmigiano Reggiano over domestic parmesan if possible.
- Butter. Unsalted butter contributes to the sauce.
- Heavy cream. For a silky texture.
- Pasta water. Starchy pasta water is a key ingredient in making an emulsifed Alfredo sauce.
- Pasta. I used an egg pappardelle for this recipe but use any pasta you’d like.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make it
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Bring a large pot of salted (2 tablespoons kosher salt per gallon) water to boil. Also, finely mince 3 cloves of garlic and grate 1 1/4 cups of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and set it aside. (Photo #1)
- Butterfly 1 pound of chicken breasts and flatten the pieces to about 3/8 to 1/2″ thick. Using a plastic bag and meat mallet is the easiest way to do this. (Photo #2)
- Season the flattened chicken with blackened seasoning on both sides. Use about 2 to 2 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning. You can also just use salt and pepper (1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoons pepper) if you like. (Photo #3)
- Heat a stainless steel pan to medium heat. Once the pan gets hot (wait 3 minutes) add a touch of olive oil and lay down the chicken to sear. After 2 minutes toss in 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan as well. (Photo #4)
- The chicken should take approximately 3 minutes per side to cook. Place the cooked blackened chicken on a cutting board and tent with foil. (Photo #5)
- Using a new clean pan, heat 7 tablespoons of butter and the garlic over medium-low heat. Note: You don’t want to use the pan that blackened the chicken for fond/deglazing since it will be burnt and will ruin your alfredo sauce! (Photo #6)
- Once the garlic turns golden (about 2 minutes) add in 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream and the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Stir the sauce and bring to a simmer. At this point, you can cook your pasta in the boiling water to al dente. (Photo #7)
- The sauce will thicken and begin to bubble. Once it does you can turn the heat down to low. When the pasta is al dente, drain it well and add it to the alfredo sauce. Toss well, then taste test. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add 3 tablespoons of minced parsley. Turn off the heat. Slice the blackened chicken into bite-sized pieces and either toss it all together with the pasta or serve it individually on plated portions of pappardelle. Enjoy! Note: If the pasta dries out use a couple of tablespoons of reserved pasta water at a time to bring back the creamy consistency. (Photo #8)
Top tips
- Chicken. You’ll save money if you buy whole chicken breasts and fillet them yourself. Be sure to pound them to about 1/2″ thick for best results and faster cooking. This also helps create maximum surface area for the blackened seasoning. Take time to dry the cutlets with paper towels before seasoning.
- Save your pasta water. Starchy pasta water is a key ingredient in chicken Alfredo pasta, and almost every pasta that’s made with cheese or cream, such as cacio e pepe. It helps emulsify the sauce but can be used to reconstitute a sauce that’s dried out a bit.
- Eat promptly. As with any cream sauce, I recommend serving blackened chicken Alfredo right away. If you do have leftovers, they will be better be reheated on the stovetop with a touch of pasta water.
More simple creamy pasta recipes
Cooler nights call for ultra-creamy and comforting pasta recipes that are simple and tasty. Here are a few of my favorites.
- Pasta alla Norcina – Paccheri pasta is tossed with a white wine-pork sausage and Pecorino sauce.
- Creamy Cajun chicken pasta – Seasoned chicken, Smoky andouille, bell peppers, and green onions tossed in a spicy tomato-cream sauce.
- Chicken marsala pasta – Mushrooms, prosciutto, and sliced chicken tossed in a buttery marsala sauce.
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Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Silky ribbons of pappardelle are tossed with a garlicky Alfredo style sauce and blackened chicken in this ultra comforting and hearty dish.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast filleted and pounded to 1/2" thick cutlets
- 2 1/2 teaspoons blackened spice optional, otherwise use 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the pasta
- 8 ounces egg fettuccine or egg pappardelle
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/4 cups Parmigiano Reggiano grated, plus more for serving
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons Italian parsley minced
- 1 cup reserved pasta water for thinning, will not need it all
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted (2 tablespoons kosher salt per gallon) water to boil.
- Dry the chicken cutlets with paper towels then season with the blackened spice on both sides.
- Heat a stainless steel or cast iron pan to medium heat and wait 3 minutes. Coat the pan with olive oil and add the chicken to the pan. After 2 minutes add the butter. The chicken should take about 3 minutes per side to cook. Place the cooked chicken on a cutting board and tent with foil. Begin cooking the pasta to al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking heat a large clean pan to medium-low heat and add the butter and garlic. Cook garlic until golden (about 2 minutes) then add the cream and cheese and bring to a simmer. The sauce will begin to thicken after a couple of minutes of simmering.
- Add the al dente pasta to the alfredo sauce and mix or toss to coat. If the pasta is too dry add some of the reserved pasta water, a bit at a time, to get a perfect consistency.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add the parsley. Cut the chicken into slices and top on individual plates or mix it straight into the pasta in the pan. Serve with more grated Parmigiano Reggiano on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute blackened spice for salt and pepper or whatever seasoning you like.
- Buy thin-sliced chicken cutlets or fillet 1 pound of chicken breasts. Pound out cutlets to about 3/8 to 1/2″ thick for even cooking that will only take approximately 3 minutes per side.
- Use the reserved pasta water to thin out the pasta if it is too thick or dries out. Just add a couple of ounces at a time to get a perfectly creamy consistency.
- Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in a pan over medium heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 801kcal | Carbohydrates: 43.9g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 48.3g | Saturated Fat: 27.1g | Cholesterol: 210mg | Sodium: 1101mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2.1g | Calcium: 298mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Loved this recipe. Didn’t change a thing.
Hi April, thanks for the comment and so happy you enjoyed this one!
This recipe is extremely popular all over YouTube & Google etc, there are endless versions. But I always use this one & my family LOVES it. Thanks as always (From a displaced AMERICAN Italian in So. California! LOL)
Hi Step, we’re so happy you enjoyed this one and really appreciate the comment!
Made this for my nieces and they absolutely loved it. Even the picky eater. I’ve done several recipes from this site and all have been 5 stars. Thanks for sharing these wonderful recipes.
Hi Marc, I’m so happy you and your niceces enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for the comment and for the 5 stars!
I made this tonight for dinner. I used chicken thighs because that’s what we had and it came out so delicious! The chicken was flavorful and the sauce was creamy. Thank you!
Hi Deborah, I’m so happy you enjoyed the pasta and really appreciate the comment!
Can you make this in advance or does it need to be served right away?
Hi Jaime, I’d recommend serving this one right away. The chicken can be made in advance, but the pasta should be made right before your planning to serve it for best results.
Hi Jim – I have been following – and collecting your recipes for a while, and I find them inspiring!
I am an experienced cook, and from Long Island, as well. When I see an email from you, I always stop to read it, and if there’s time, I try to prepare it as soon as possible. I have a grandson (btw your son is a great addition to the show!) who is about the same age, and he’s a bit of a foodie, too!
Thank you for the brightest part of my day!
Hi Binnie, thank you for brightening my day with this comment! I’m so happy you’re enjoying the recipes and appreciate you following along!
This is one of our favorites over here
Hi David, so happy you enjoyed this one and really appreciate the comment and review!
Jim, I got to this page from a Cajun pasta recipe you posted. You referenced your homemade Cajun seasoning. I’ve searched your blog and videos and can’t find.
I started watching you a little over a year ago before you hit 100k. I really like your cooking and ideas to make homemade sauces vs shelf stable ones.
Hi Janet, thanks for the comment and appreciate your support! I don’t have the recipe up on the website but I usually just mix based on recipes that come up on a Google search and then adjust it to add more heat depending on what I’m in the mood for. Also, I’ve been using Slap Ya Mama cajun seasoning lately and enjoy that one.
Love this father-son duo!
Thanks, Lisa!
My niece and I made this for dinner tonight. It was so easy and so flavorful! 😍😍😍
Hi Christine, I’m so happy you and your niece enjoyed this one! Thank you for the comment!
First time cooking pasta and the recipe was easy to follow! Started by just making the garlic Alfredo sauce and it was great! Will try making the chicken later.
Hi Torbjoern, thank you for the comment and so happy you liked this one!