Quick & Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Keyword: Quick & Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Cooking a delicious and satisfying meal doesn't have to be time-consuming or complicated. One such dish that fits these criteria is the classic Quick & Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta. This hearty, creamy pasta dish takes only about 30 minutes from start to finish and can serve up to four people perfectly. The rich flavor of chicken paired with a smooth alfredo sauce and tender pasta makes this meal irresistible.

To begin your Quick & Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound of linguine or fettuccine
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups shredded cooked chicken)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients and equipment. You will also need a large pot for boiling water, a saucepan for heating the alfredo sauce, a colander for draining the pasta, and tongs to handle the chicken.

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt per cup of water. Add your linguine or fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente—about 7-9 minutes depending on the brand you are using. Drain the pasta immediately in a colander, reserving some of the starchy pasta water for later use if needed.

Meanwhile, melt the butter gently over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the shredded chicken and cook until it is heated through and slightly browned, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with garlic powder and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper to your liking.

While the chicken is cooking, pour the heavy cream into the same saucepan used for melting butter. Stir continuously as the mixture thickens. You can also reduce heat slightly if it thickens too quickly. Once the cream has fully integrated with the butter, add half of this creamy mixture to your cooked chicken and stir to combine well.

Once your pasta is done cooking, gently toss it in with the alfredo sauce and the remaining cream until everything is thoroughly combined. If you feel that the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. The starch from the pasta will help create a creamy consistency for your Alfredo sauce.

For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle some fresh parsley over the top just before serving. This garnish not only adds color but also enhances the overall taste.

To serve, portion out the chicken and alfredo pasta into four bowls or plates. Enjoy this rich yet simple dish hot from the plate! Each serving will provide approximately 200 calories per person assuming you are using about one cup of pasta with a quarter cup of sauce along with an ounce of chicken.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta can be served with various side dishes such as a fresh salad, garlic bread or crusty baguette. For dessert, consider a slice of apple pie or some simple fruit salad to round out the meal. This combination offers both savory and sweet tastes to complement your main dish beautifully.

For those looking for additional health benefits, you could swap out some of the pasta for whole wheat noodles which would increase the fiber content in this recipe while keeping all other components intact. Alternatively, incorporating more vegetables into the alfredo sauce like spinach or broccoli adds extra nutrients without altering much flavor.

This Quick & Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta is not only quick and simple to prepare but also incredibly tasty. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting meal that won't take all evening to make, it’s sure to become one of your go-to recipes!