Plento Pasto CookbookClassic Chicken Alfredo
⏱ 30 min
🍽 Serves 4
≈ $14.25 ($3.56/serving)
average
Why this fits a family on a budget
This is the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken that has appeared on chain-restaurant menus and family dinner tables for decades — creamy, cheesy, and universally loved by kids and adults alike. No surprises, no shortcuts, just the reliable classic every parent has in their back pocket.
Ingredients
• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions (usually 10–12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining, then drain and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook 6–7 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reads 165°F on a meat thermometer. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
3. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Melt butter in the same skillet, then add the minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until the cream begins to thicken slightly.
4. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan a little at a time until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a splash at a time.
5. Add the drained fettuccine to the skillet and toss well to coat every strand in the sauce. Top with the sliced chicken. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Contains: gluten, dairy. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
Plan a whole week like this — free
Plento Pasto plans a week of family dinners around the grocery budget you set and what's already in your kitchen. Free to plan, no ads.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.
← Browse more budget-friendly dinners