Name: Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 (6- to 8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 cup); 3/4 cup heavy cream; 2 cups whole milk; 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 8 oz. fettuccine; Finely chopped fresh parsley, for serving

There's something unbelievably comforting about creamy pasta topped with perfectly cooked chicken, and that’s exactly what this Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe delivers. It's rich, satisfying, and honestly, pretty simple to whip up anytime you want a cozy meal.

This image shows a close-up of a creamy pasta dish served on a white bowl. The base layer is creamy white fettuccine pasta, with smooth, thick sauce covering the noodles. The pasta is topped with several slices of cooked chicken, each slice browned on the edges and tender inside. The dish is sprinkled with finely chopped bright green parsley and small shreds of white cheese. A light dusting of black pepper adds texture and contrast on the creamy surface. The background shows a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What I love about this Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe is that it hits all the right notes: creamy, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. Plus, it's not fussy—just real ingredients and straightforward steps that anyone can follow.

Scratch-Made Sauce: No jarred Alfredo here; you get a fresh, rich sauce made from Parmesan, cream, and broth for the best flavor.
Perfectly Cooked Chicken: The chicken breasts are pan-seared to golden perfection, adding a lovely texture and protein boost.
One-Pan Wonder: After cooking the chicken, everything comes together in the same skillet—minimizing cleanup.
Comfort Food Classic: This recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for family dinners or casual date nights.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe has its role. The creamy elements blend beautifully, the chicken adds depth, and the pasta soaks up that luscious sauce perfectly. Here's a quick look at what you need and why:

Flat lay of extra-virgin olive oil in a small white bowl, two golden boneless skinless chicken breasts, coarse kosher salt crystals in a small white bowl, fresh ground black peppercorns in a small white bowl, two peeled garlic cloves, low-sodium chicken broth in a small white bowl, whole milk in a small white bowl, a neatly coiled bundle of dry fettuccine pasta, finely grated Parmesan cheese in a small white bowl, heavy cream in a small white bowl, a small pile of finely chopped fresh parsley on a white ceramic plate, all arranged symmetrically and proportionately placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Extra-virgin olive oil: For searing the chicken and building flavor right at the start.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Lean and versatile, they cook quickly and stay juicy when done right.
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance every other flavor.
Garlic cloves: Adds that aromatic punch that makes Alfredo sauce irresistible.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Gives body and a savory background to the sauce without overpowering it.
Whole milk: Balances richness with creaminess, so the sauce isn’t too heavy.
Fettuccine: The classic pasta choice, with flat ribbons that hold onto the creamy sauce.
Parmesan (finely grated): The star of the sauce, fresh Parmesan melts smoothly and gives that signature cheesy taste.
Heavy cream: Ensures the sauce is decadently smooth and thick.
Fresh parsley: A pop of color and fresh herbal note just before serving.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of a Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Over time, I’ve experimented with different twists to match whatever mood I’m in or ingredients on hand — and honestly, you’ll enjoy making it your own, too.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the chicken breasts for shrimp, which cooks even faster and adds a nice briny hint to the sauce.
Dietary tweak: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to lighten it up a bit, and you get nearly the same creamy texture.
Seasonal boost: Toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach for added color and nutrition.
Extra indulgence: Grate in a little nutmeg to the sauce — it’s a secret trick I swear by for depth of flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy white fettuccine pasta layers at the bottom, covered in a smooth white sauce. On top, there are pieces of golden brown grilled chicken slices with crisp edges, scattered with green chopped parsley and small black pepper bits. A silver fork holds some pasta on the left side of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Start by heating the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Pat your chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken and let it cook without moving it much for about 8 minutes per side. You want that beautiful golden crust—it locks in juices and bumps up flavor. Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the thickest part hits 165°F, then transfer to a cutting board to rest for 10 minutes; this step is crucial to keep the chicken tender.

Step 2: Build Your Sauce and Cook the Pasta Together

In the same skillet (don’t clean it—those fond bits are flavor gold), add the chopped garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and whole milk, then season again with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Now, add the dry fettuccine right into the sauce. Stir frequently to keep the pasta from sticking, and let it cook until the liquid slightly reduces and the pasta is al dente, about 10 to 13 minutes total. This technique helps the noodles soak up that creamy sauce.

Step 3: Finish the Alfredo Sauce and Serve Up

Once the pasta is tender, stir in the finely grated Parmesan and heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and thickened—usually about 3 minutes over low heat. Slice the rested chicken breasts, fold them into the sauce, and give it all one last gentle toss. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a fresh, bright finish, and you’re ready to dig in.

Top Tip

From my experience making this dish dozens of times, a few simple pivots make all the difference between a good Alfredo and one that’s truly luxurious. These tips ensure your Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe turns out perfectly every single time.

Don’t Skip Resting Chicken: Letting the chicken rest after cooking keeps it juicy, and slicing it too soon causes precious moisture to escape.
Fresh Parmesan Matters: Pre-grated cheese can be convenient, but fresh Parmesan melts more smoothly and adds a richer flavor.
Use a Wide Skillet: It helps the pasta cook evenly and allows you to toss everything together easily without overcrowding.
Simmer, Don’t Boil: Too high heat can make the milk curdle or the sauce separate. Keep the temperature gentle for the creamiest sauce.

How to Serve Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

I almost always garnish this dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley — it brightens the creamy sauce and adds a lovely color contrast. Sometimes, I add an extra dash of freshly cracked black pepper or a few shavings of Parmesan if company’s coming.

Side Dishes

To balance the richness, I love serving this pasta alongside garlicky roasted broccoli or a simple mixed green salad dressed with lemon. Warm crusty bread also makes a great partner, perfect for sopping up every last drop of that glorious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve laid this Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe in individual shallow pasta bowls and topped it with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or a drizzle of truffle oil to elevate the flavors. It’s all about those little fancy touches that wow your guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to keep the chicken and pasta together because the sauce thickens and melds even more, which is a nice bonus.

Freezing

Freezing Alfredo can be tricky because the cream can separate, but if you freeze it, do so without the parsley garnish and reheat gently to bring it back. Personally, I don’t freeze it often because it’s so quick to make fresh, but it’s doable if you’re careful.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers slowly over low heat on the stove, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen up the sauce. Nuke it in the microwave and it can get a bit grainy, so stovetop reheating is my go-to for maintaining that creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While fettuccine is traditional and works beautifully to hold the creamy sauce, you can switch to linguine, penne, or even rigatoni based on your preference or what you have on hand.

How do I prevent my Alfredo sauce from splitting?

Keep the heat on medium or low and avoid boiling the sauce. Also, adding the cheese slowly off the heat and stirring gently helps the fat and dairy combine smoothly, preventing the sauce from separating.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can absolutely omit the chicken and increase the garlic and Parmesan for extra flavor. Adding sautéed mushrooms, peas, or spinach can make the dish heartier and still deliciously creamy.

What’s the best way to slice the chicken?

Once rested, slice the chicken breasts thinly against the grain. This ensures tender, easy-to-eat pieces that blend nicely into the pasta without overwhelming the bite.

Final Thoughts

This Homestyle Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals because it’s straightforward yet feels extra special every time I make it. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, it’s a dish that satisfies both the belly and the soul. So grab those fresh ingredients, dive in, and enjoy every creamy, cheesy, delicious bite like you’re right here in my kitchen with me.