Tasty Fettuccine Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

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There’s something comforting about a big bowl of pasta, especially when it’s loaded with tender chicken and fresh broccoli. On busy weeknights when I need a reliable dinner that’ll make everyone happy, this fettuccine chicken broccoli alfredo is my go-to choice. I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it never fails to bring smiles to my family’s faces.

The creamy sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and the combination of protein and vegetables make this a complete meal in one dish. What I really love is how simple it is to put together, even when I’m short on time or energy. Sure, you could grab takeout from your local Italian restaurant, but this homemade version comes together in about the same time it would take to pick up an order – and tastes so much better.

Even my kids, who usually pick around their vegetables, clean their plates when I serve this. Maybe it’s because the creamy alfredo sauce makes everything taste better, or maybe it’s just the magic of comfort food. Either way, it’s a winner in our house.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the classic choice for this creamy pasta dish, but you’ve got options. While chicken breasts are lean and widely available, you could also use chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat – they tend to stay a bit more juicy and are harder to overcook. For the best results, make sure your chicken pieces are cut into even, bite-sized chunks about 1-inch in size so they cook uniformly. If you’re short on time, you can even use pre-cut chicken breast from your grocery store’s meat counter, just make sure it’s fresh and hasn’t been sitting out too long.

Options for Substitutions

This classic pasta dish can be adapted with several ingredient swaps if needed:

• Fettuccine: While fettuccine is traditional, you can use any pasta shape you have on hand – penne, linguine, or even spaghetti work well. For a healthier option, try whole wheat pasta or chickpea pasta.
• Heavy cream: If you’re looking to lighten things up, you can use half-and-half, though your sauce won’t be as thick. For a thicker sauce with half-and-half, add 2 oz of cream cheese.
• Chicken breast: Chicken thighs are a great substitute and often more flavorful. You could also use leftover rotisserie chicken, or for a different spin, try shrimp or salmon.
• Broccoli: Feel free to swap broccoli with other veggies like asparagus, peas, or cauliflower. Just make sure to adjust cooking time based on the vegetable you choose.
• Parmesan cheese: For best results, stick with real Parmesan cheese. Pre-grated cheese won’t melt as smoothly. In a pinch, you could use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
• Butter: While butter adds richness, you can replace it with additional olive oil if needed, though the sauce won’t be quite as creamy.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making fettuccine alfredo is overcooking the pasta – always cook it 1-2 minutes less than the package directions since it will continue cooking when tossed with the hot sauce. A common error with the sauce is heating the cream too quickly or at too high a temperature, which can cause it to separate or become grainy – instead, warm it slowly over medium-low heat while stirring frequently. To prevent rubbery chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan when sautéing the pieces, as this leads to steaming rather than browning – work in batches if needed and make sure your pan is hot before adding the chicken. For perfectly cooked broccoli that’s not mushy, blanch it separately until just tender-crisp, then shock in ice water to maintain its bright color and texture before adding it to the final dish.

What to Serve With Chicken Broccoli Alfredo?

Since this pasta dish is rich and creamy, it pairs really well with light, fresh sides that can help balance out the meal. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing is my go-to choice – the acidic dressing helps cut through the richness of the alfredo sauce. Garlic bread is another classic option that’s always a crowd-pleaser, though you might want to go easy since the pasta itself is pretty filling! For a lighter alternative, you could serve some roasted cherry tomatoes on the side – they add a nice pop of color and their slight acidity works great with the creamy sauce.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Pop your leftover fettuccine alfredo in an airtight container and place it in the fridge – it’ll stay good for up to 3-4 days. The sauce might thicken up a bit in the fridge, but don’t worry, that’s totally normal! Just keep in mind that pasta dishes are usually best enjoyed within the first couple of days.

Freeze: While you can freeze this dish, cream-based sauces can be a bit tricky. If you decide to freeze it, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just know that the texture of the sauce might change a little bit after thawing.

Reheat: To bring your alfredo back to life, warm it up slowly over low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen up the sauce. Stir frequently to prevent the sauce from separating. If using the microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, and add a tiny bit of cream to keep it smooth.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20-30 minutes
Total Time	30-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2500-2800
• Protein: 150-170 g
• Fat: 150-170 g
• Carbohydrates: 220-240 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound fettuccine noodles
• 2 heads broccoli, chopped (around 3 to 4 cups)
• 1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated (a bit more for topping if desired)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, split
• Salt and pepper

Step 1: Prepare Broccoli

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season it with salt.

While waiting for the water to heat up, place a cast iron skillet (or any large skillet) over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Add the broccoli to the skillet, seasoning it with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Cook the broccoli uncovered for about 4 minutes until it turns bright green.

Add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet and continue to cook uncovered until the water evaporates and the broccoli is crisp-tender.

Transfer the cooked broccoli to a medium-sized bowl.

Step 2: Cook the Fettuccine Pasta

Once the water in the pot is boiling, add the fettuccine and cook it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Keep an eye on the pasta as you proceed with the other steps, ensuring it does not overcook.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Using the same skillet you cooked the broccoli in, heat another tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken pieces in an even layer, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and thoroughly cooked, turning the pieces several times during cooking.

Transfer the cooked chicken to the same bowl as the broccoli.

Step 4: Make the Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until it becomes fragrant.

Pour in the heavy cream, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate their flavor into the sauce.

Add the grated Parmesan cheese and cook until it has melted and the sauce is just starting to bubble.

Reduce the heat to low to keep the sauce warm without boiling.

Step 5: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Broccoli

When the fettuccine is done cooking, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.

Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat the noodles evenly.

Mix in the cooked chicken and broccoli, tossing everything together.

If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it to your desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your broccoli chicken Alfredo warm, topped with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Enjoy your meal!

For extra tips, FAQs, and ingredient substitutions, refer to the recipe notes.