Easy One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta (30-Minute Dinner)
Yield: ~1.5 cups
One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
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Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, this One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta features tender, seared chicken breast bites cooked together with penne pasta in a garlic-parmesan cream sauce. Made entirely in a single skillet in under 30 minutes, it delivers restaurant-quality comfort food with minimal cleanup.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or whole milk for a lighter version)
- 8 oz (225g) uncooked penne or fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes until browned and fully cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside. - Sauté the Garlic:
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. - Simmer Pasta:
Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and uncooked pasta. Stir well to combine, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil. - Cook Covered:
Cover with a lid, turn the heat down to low, and let it simmer for 12–15 minutes (stirring occasionally to prevent sticking) until the pasta is tender and cooked al dente. - Stir in Cheese & Serve:
Remove from heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken (along with any accumulated juices) to the pot and toss well to combine. - Garnish & Serve:
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan. Serve warm immediately!
Notes
- Cheese Selection: Use freshly grated Parmesan from a block. Pre-shredded bagged cheese contains anti-caking agents that can cause the sauce to become grainy instead of smooth.
- Liquid Control: If the sauce looks too liquidy right when you remove the lid, don't worry! It will thicken significantly as it cools for 2–3 minutes and as you stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Variations: Add 2 cups of fresh baby spinach or broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of cooking for added greens.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1.5 CupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 712Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 190mgSodium: 1352mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 68g
