Grilled Chicken Alfredo Pasta

This Grilled Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a decadent better-than-restaurant quality meal that’s quick, easy, and requires only a few ingredients.

Penne pasta is coated in a creamy buttery parmesan sauce, topped with seasoned grilled chicken, freshly grated parmesan, and chopped parsley which all comes together in just 30 minutes.

My homemade alfredo sauce is rich and indulgent but also very simple to make from scratch (promise you won’t ever want to use jarred sauce again).

Everyone raves about this dish (it has over 1.5 million views on TikTok and hundreds of positive reviews). It should really win an award for the best and easiest homemade dinner that everyone must try.

Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Check out my delicious Chicken Pot Pie or Greek Stuffed Peppers.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?

The few ingredients needed for this simple dish should all be high quality for the best results.

Chicken breast – buy two large chicken breasts and slice in half horizontally (butterfly cut) to make four thin cutlets.

Penne pasta – always cook to 1 minute before the box says is al dente since the pasta will spend more time cooking when it gets mixed in with the alfredo sauce.

Heavy cream – also called ‘heavy whipping cream’ is necessary to get the rich creamy texture.

Parmesan – you must buy a good quality block of parmesan and shred it or grate it yourself. It will melt better and make all the difference for a velvety sauce.

Butter – is the base of the sauce so choose an unsalted grass-fed butter for the best taste.

Fresh parsley – adds a necessary green color to the plate and a fresh herb component.

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika – essential seasonings for grilled chicken alfredo pasta.

HOW TO MAKE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO

Boil Pasta –

Step 1 – Bring pot of water to a boil and add a handful of salt. Add 8 oz pasta (1/2 a box) and cook to al dente.

Step 2 – Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta (do not rinse with water) and set aside.

Grill Chicken –

Step 3 – Meanwhile, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl.

Step 4 – Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally (butterfly style) to make 4 cutlets total. Coat both sides of chicken evenly with seasoning mixture.

Step 5 – Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high (or preheat outdoor grill). Place chicken breasts down and do not touch for 4 minutes. Flip over and add 2 tbsp butter to the pan, cook for 3-4 more minutes. Set aside to cool and slice into thin strips.

Make Alfredo Sauce –

Step 6 – Get alfredo sauce started while simultaneously cooking chicken. In a deep saucepan, melt ¾ cup butter over medium heat. Add in 3-4 minced garlic cloves and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant and bubbly.

Step 7 – Slowly pour in 2 cups heavy cream and stir to combine. Let sauce simmer and thicken for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season sauce with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste.

Tip: the liquid should be reduced by half and much thicker at this point.

Step 8 – One handful at a time, mix in parmesan, stirring to combine after each handful. Add ¼ cup pasta water and stir.

Combine –

Step 9 – Bring heat down to medium-low. Mix in half of the cooked penne, ensuring pasta gets fully coated with alfredo sauce. Add a splash of pasta water. Repeat with second half of cooked penne.

Step 10 – Divide alfredo pasta between bowls and top with sliced grilled chicken breast. Sprinkle with extra parmesan and chopped parsley.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST ALFREDO

Grilled chicken alfredo is one of the simplest Italian pasta recipes and is truly so easy to make at home, especially if you keep these simple tips in mind.

• Salt pasta water (heavily) once it’s boiling.
• Cook pasta 1 minute less than box recommends for al dente, it will cook more later when mixed in with sauce.
• Don’t rinse pasta with water when it’s done, just drain and transfer to pan with sauce. Sauce will stick better this way.
• Remember to reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water and use as much as needed.
• The cooked pasta, pasta water, and parmesan cheese should all be added in little by little. This allows everything to blend together and get extra creamy.
• Freshly shredding parmesan is worth it. It melts better and tastes better.
• Alfredo should be served immediately, the texture changes as it cools and is best enjoyed right away.
• This recipe is portioned for 2 people but could feed 3-4 if you use a whole box of pasta instead of 1/2.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO

Grilled chicken alfredo pasta can definitely be served on its own for a complete and satisfying meal, but sides are always welcomed.

Popular alfredo accompaniments:

• Garlic bread
• Mixed green salad
• Cooked broccoli florets

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Protein – use shrimp for the protein instead of chicken.

Vegetarian – leave out the chicken for a vegetarian dish.

Save time – by using a rotisserie chicken or store-bought alfredo sauce.

Different shapes – try fettuccini, fusilli, farfalle, rigatoni or pappardelle.

RECIPE FAQ’S

MORE DINNER RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
• Traditional Moussaka
• YiaYia’s Authentic Pastitsio

WATCH HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!