Chicken Alfredo Pasta: A Cheesy Classic

We are all sometimes tempted by a good Italian pasta dish and, luckily, recipes abound. But truth be told, there is none like fettuccine alfredo: this dish is a delicacy that crossed the Atlantic, made everyone’s tummies fall in love, and is made with only two ingredients. 

Let’s see then what are the secrets behind the unique and incomparable chicken alfredo pasta, a classic Italian-American creation. The possibility of recreating a trattoria in the warmth of your home is just a reading away. 

Alfredo Sauce: A Hollywood-Italy Affair 

It was 1907 and Alfredo di Lelio was walking down Via della Scrofa with a smile on his face: he had decided to transform his small tavern into an authentic Italian trattoria. 

But the famous alfredo sauce origin came seven years later, when, worried about his wife Inés, who was pregnant and had no appetite, he decided to prepare a dish based only on butter and cheese. The result? Inés was so surprised that she forced Alfredo to include the dish among the recipes on the menu.

The encounter between America and Rome took place in 1920, when two Hollywood artists, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, decided to spend their honeymoon in Europe. While passing through Rome, they tried fettuccini Alfredo and were so enraptured by the succulent dish that, upon returning to America, they told their friends about its goodness. 

As a thank you, they sent Alfredo a pair of gold cutlery with the dedication: “To Alfredo, the King of the noodles”. The popularity was such that after a while, Alfredo Di Lelio expanded his cuisine to the United States with Alfredo’s restaurant at Rockefeller Center in New York.

In America, the classic recipe began to be transformed with the addition of roux for bechamel sauce or heavy cream and proteins such as chicken to combine with the pasta.

So what is alfredo sauce? We could say it’s just a sauce of two basic ingredients that you’ll never be without in your fridge: butter and cheese. We could say it’s a spectacular sauce, perfect for making the now classic chicken fettuccine alfredo at home. Or we could also say it’s the most delicious italian-hollywood affair in culinary history, and for which we’ll always be grateful.

Reaching the Epitome of Creaminess: The Step by Step Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

But let’s cut to the chase: the recipe for chicken alfredo pasta we are all looking for. 

Ingredients:

• For Alfredo Sauce

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• For Chicken Alfredo Pasta

• 1 pound fettuccine noodles

• 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Alfredo Sauce Recipe

• Melt the unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat, avoiding browning.

• Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine with the butter.

• Add the finely grated Parmesan cheese gradually, allowing it to melt and create a smooth sauce.

• Season with a pinch of salt and a dash of black pepper, adjusting to taste.

• Continue to stir until the Alfredo sauce reaches a velvety consistency. Set aside

• Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

• In a separate pan, sauté bite-sized chicken pieces until golden, seasoning with salt and pepper.

• Simultaneously, cook fettuccine noodles in salted water until al dente.

• Combine the golden chicken pieces with the al dente fettuccine in a pan, ensuring an even distribution.

• Toss the cooked fettuccine with your homemade Alfredo sauce, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated.

• Add the sautéed chicken pieces to the pasta, allowing them to integrate with the creamy sauce.

And just like that, with this guide you can treat your loved ones the way Alfredo did with Inés, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta Variations: The Turn of the Screw to the Original Recipe

And as is often the case in life, tradition is just the beginning. Here are a few twists to develop your own repertoire of fettuccine alfredo recipes. 

• Shrimp Alfredo Pasta
  For those craving a taste of the ocean, shrimp alfredo pasta is a seafood lover’s dream. Succulent shrimp, perfectly cooked and nestled in the alfredo sauce, are the perfect change of protein for all seafood lovers.

• Salmon Alfredo Pasta
  If you prefer a gourmet and heart-healthy option, going for salmon as the protein is the perfect choice. The unique flavor of salmon, with its omega-3, blends perfectly with the creamy alfredo sauce.

• Spinach Alfredo Pasta or Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
  For a veggie and healthier option, add broccoli or green spinach leaves to the creamy ensemble. Here it depends on your mood: the spinach will mold to the creamy texture while the broccoli will add a fun crunch to the equation.
   

• Cajun Alfredo Pasta
  For those who crave a bit of heat, Cajun Alfredo Pasta is a fiery rendition that adds a spicy kick to the original recipe.

• Mushroom Alfredo Pasta
  And of course, another classic is the simple yet exquisite pairing of mushrooms and cream. The umami-rich flavor of mushrooms complements the creamy Alfredo sauce, creating a dish that’s both gourmet and comforting.

Next time you’re looking for the best alfredo pasta near me and don’t feel like putting on your cooking apron, just consider restaurants that have some of these alfredo pasta recipes. 

Conclusion: Indulge in Chicken Alfredo Pasta, the Creamiest Dish That Never Goes Out of Style

So now you know, the day you feel like going to an Italian trattoria but don’t have time, perhaps, to pack your bags and take a plane, just look for the restaurant that has a good alfredo pasta dish on its menu. 

And when you want to treat your guests like real Hollywood stars, well, you already have a recipe to make your own Italian pasta with just two of the creamiest and most affordable ingredients out there. 

Buon appetito!