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Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli

This Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli is creamy, cheesy, and a family favorite. Make it meatless, or switch out the broccoli for spinach or kale.

fettuccini alfredo with chicken and broccoli in white plate
Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli

Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe

Easy Homemade Fettuccini Alfredo

There are few dishes that rival a toothsome bowl of pasta in the realm of comfort foods.  Our family is a troop of pasta lovers, and fettuccini alfredo is head of the line.

Rather than stop at a basic butter and Parmesan concoction, we go all out with this easy primo version.  The result is a creamy, cheesy, delicious fettuccine alfredo that includes chicken and broccoli, for the ultimate pasta meal-in-one. You’ll have starch, protein, and vegetables deliciously unified on one plate.

This meal-in-one dish is easy enough for a weeknight meal that the kids will devour, yet delicious enough for a weekend dinner with a glass of your favorite wine.

Fettuccini alfredo with chicken and broccoli
Fettuccini Alfredo is an easy family favorite

Simple Pantry Ingredients

The Protein:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are great to have on hand for quick, easy meals. Simply cut into cubes, season, and sauté them for a lean and hearty protein choice. If you’d like to keep your fettuccini alfredo meatless, feel free to omit the chicken.

The Cheeses:

Sharp white cheddar cheese boasts a super tangy and more intense flavor profile than mild cheddars. Sharp cheddar not only packs a powerful punch, but it also melts like a dream. A good quality parmesan cheese provides a pungent, nutty zing that’s ideal for alfredo. Use fresh blocks of cheese and grate them yourself, for amazing flavor and texture.

The Vegetables:

We love broccoli florets here, as they’re accessible, they cook quickly, and lend both color and nutrition. Frozen or fresh florets may be used. Feel free to substitute with fresh baby spinach or baby kale leaves.

The Seasonings:

Aside from kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, we drop an abundance of freshly minced garlic and onion powder into this dish. Salted butter is used to sauté the garlic, which delivers irresistible aroma and flavor.

Pro Tip for creamy alfredo sauce

Be sure to give this alfredo sauce a thorough stirring, to ensure the smoothest and creamiest sauce possible.

It’s worth repeating to use only fresh blocks of cheese that you grate yourself, for best texture and flavor. You can grate the cheeses well in advance and keep chilled in sealed containers until ready to use.

The alfredo sauce itself can be made entirely ahead of time, kept in an airtight container in fridge, and gently reheated over the stovetop on low heat. Always stir well when reheating sauce.

Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken and broccoli on white plate
Serve fettuccini alfredo with freshly grated parmesan cheese

More pasta to make and eat


You might love this garlic rosemary bread, too:

Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken and broccoli on white plate

Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli

4.93 from 14 ratings
You’ll love the creamy, cheesy goodness of this Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli. It’s a delicious meal in one.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts , or thighs, cubed
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tsp onion powder, divided
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 TB olive oil
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 lb fettuccine, dry
  • 6 TB salted butter
  • cup all purpose flour
  • 3 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 6 oz Parmesan cheese, wedge, freshly grated
  • 8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, block, freshly grated
  • ½ cup sour cream

Instructions

  • Dry cubes of chicken with paper towels. Add half of the minced garlic, 1 tsp onion powder, salt, and pepper into the chicken, and mix well.
  • In a heavy large skillet, heat olive oil about 30 seconds, and add seasoned chicken. Sauté until chicken is almost cooked through. Add broccoli florets to the chicken and continue cooking until chicken and broccoli are fully cooked. Set aside.
  • Bring large heavy pot of well-salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook just until al dente, according to package instructions. Do not cook beyond al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.
  • Sauté the butter in now empty pot. Add remaining garlic and cook about 1 minute. Stir in flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes or until smooth.
  • Carefully add the milk, half and half, chicken broth, and remaining onion powder. Continue to stir constantly until sauce is smooth and creamy, on medium-low heat, about 5 minutes. Take your time to ensure the sauce is not grainy. Sauce should become thickened and smooth.
  • Stir in Parmesan and white cheddar cheeses, continuing to stir until cheeses are melted. Add any additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir in sour cream and chicken/broccoli mixture to the sauce, combining well.
  • Toss cooked pasta with sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

  • This dish is best served immediately. If the dish sits out too long and becomes thick, loosen it with a bit more milk or chicken broth. 
  • Feel free to swap the broccoli for baby kale or spinach leaves.
  • Make it meatless by omitting chicken.
  • For smooth and creamy texture, use good quality sharp cheddar and parmesan blocks and grate them yourself. Pre-shredded packaged cheeses may not produce the same texture when melted.
 

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 590kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 763mg | Potassium: 658mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 848IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 414mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian American
Method: Stovetop

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Recipe Rating




28 comments

    • Lissa Reyes
    • 5 stars

    Made it for my son’s birthday, it was a big hit. I will definitely make again.

    • Barbara

    The sauce sounds delicious! What about using cooked rotisserie chicken? How much would I add to the sauce?

      • Amy Dong

      I would add approximately the same amount of rotisserie. Enjoy!

    • Debra
    • 5 stars

    Winner with the kiddos….will definitely make it again.

      • chewoutloud

      So happy they liked it!

    • Ramona
    • 5 stars

    This fettuccine Alfredo was divine. I’ll definitely make it again.

      • chewoutloud

      Yay, thank you, Ramona!

    • Jagruti
    • 5 stars

    This sounds delicious. This sounds like a recipe my picky eaters will enjoy.

      • chewoutloud

      I think they’d love it!

    • Chef Dennis
    • 5 stars

    Just the sight of this makes my tummy growl! Yum.

      • chewoutloud

      Thank you!

    • Oscar
    • 5 stars

    Great recipe. I usually buy Alfredo sauce abut will try making this.

      • chewoutloud

      SO much better than store bought!

    • Jenny
    • 5 stars

    Such a delicious recipe, and so easy to follow!

      • chewoutloud

      Thanks, glad you liked it!

    • Megan Ellam
    • 5 stars

    Thanks for such a great recipe. so easy and delicious!

      • chewoutloud

      Happy you enjoyed this!

    • Rob
    • 5 stars

    This looks delicious! Can’t wait to make it!

    • Shatee
    • 4 stars

    Absolutely ❤️ This recipe. Very thick sauce so I would advise using a little pasta water to thin the sauce out a little. Very tasty and creamy

      • chewoutloud

      So happy you enjoyed this 🙂 🙂

    • mobasir hassan
    • 5 stars

    You know i have not looked for any other recipe for making alfredo pasta after reading this lovely recipe. I am waiting for more such recipes in future. Thanks.

      • chewoutloud

      So happy you’ve been using and enjoying this recipe! Thank you for coming back to let us know!

    • Kayla

    Thanks for the great recipe! I am always looking for new meals to serve the family of 4! My family will love this !

      • chewoutloud

      Hope you love it, Kayla! 🙂

    • Lorraine

    Very good

      • chewoutloud

      Thanks! 🙂

    • peanutbutterandonion

    Love this… my daughter will also love this

    • thesisterslice

    yum

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