Dreamy One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Heavenly One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe for Cozy Nights

Comfort meets convenience in this delectable one pot chicken alfredo pasta that promises to satisfy your deepest dinner cravings.

Creamy sauce swirls around perfectly tender chicken and al dente pasta, creating a symphony of flavors in a single pan.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this simple yet impressive dish that comes together effortlessly.

The magic happens when each ingredient melds into a luxurious, velvety masterpiece that feels like a restaurant-quality meal made at home.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing recipe that’s sure to draw smiles around the table.

No complicated techniques or multiple pots required – just pure, delicious simplicity.

Prepare to savor every single bite of this irresistible pasta that turns an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 4

Chicken Alfredo One Pot Must-Haves

For Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides hearty texture and rich flavor, choose fresh or thawed chicken without discoloration.
  • Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Essential spices that enhance chicken's natural taste and create aromatic depth.
For Liquid and Cooking Base:
  • Olive Oil: Creates smooth cooking surface and adds subtle fruity undertone.
  • Chicken Broth: Builds rich foundational flavor, opt for low-sodium versions for better control.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious, velvety consistency and helps create silky sauce.
  • Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor profile, select firm cloves without sprouts.
For Pasta and Cheese Elements:
  • Pasta: Absorbs flavors beautifully and creates satisfying main dish texture, choose medium-sized pasta shapes.
  • Butter: Brings creamy richness and helps emulsify sauce, use unsalted for precise seasoning.
  • Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella: Melts smoothly to create dreamy, stretchy sauce, select high-quality, freshly grated varieties for best results.

Cooking Gear for Creamy Chicken Pasta

  • Large Pot or Deep Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the one-pot meal, with enough space to combine all ingredients.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing pasta from sticking during cooking.
  • Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure chicken broth and heavy cream for consistent results.
  • Measuring Spoons: Ensures precise seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
  • Knife: Needed for cutting chicken into pieces and mincing garlic.
  • Cheese Grater: Useful if using fresh Parmesan cheese that needs grating.

How to Make Alfredo Chicken Pasta in One Pot

  • Brown the Chicken

Heat a large pot over medium flame. Toss in chicken with fragrant seasonings, cooking until beautifully golden and fully cooked. Watch for those delightful caramelized edges.

  • Wake Up the Flavors

Sprinkle minced garlic into the pot, letting its aroma dance and intensify for a quick moment.

  • Build the One-Pot Magic

Pour in creamy broth, creating a luxurious liquid base. Nestle uncooked pasta into this silky bath, ensuring every piece gets submerged.

  • Simmer and Transform

Let the mixture bubble gently, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Watch pasta soften and sauce thicken into a dreamy consistency.

  • Cheese It Up

Swirl in velvety butter and generous handfuls of cheese. Stir until the sauce becomes impossibly smooth and irresistibly creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings for a final flavor punch.

Flavor Boosters for Your Alfredo Night

  • Stir frequently during cooking to prevent pasta from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pan, ensuring even cooking and a silky smooth texture.
  • Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lactose-free version. Replace dairy cheeses with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives to keep the creamy consistency.
  • Experiment with different proteins like shredded rotisserie chicken, sliced turkey, or plant-based chicken alternatives to add variety and suit different dietary preferences.
  • Enhance nutritional value by adding chopped spinach, broccoli florets, or sliced bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking. These vegetables will blend seamlessly into the creamy sauce while adding extra nutrients and color.
  • Kick the flavor profile up a notch by incorporating red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of cayenne pepper for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their pasta dish.

Serving Ideas for Chicken Alfredo Bowls

  • Rustic Italian Dinner Night: Pair the creamy chicken Alfredo pasta with a crisp garden salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette for a complete meal that balances the richness of the dish.
  • Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil, parsley, or chives over the top to add a bright, herbaceous note and elevate the visual appeal of the pasta.
  • Garlic Bread Companion: Serve alongside warm, toasted garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious, creamy sauce and add a delightful crunch to the meal.
  • Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the dish with a chilled glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, which will beautifully match the creamy texture and mild chicken flavors.

Tips for Keeping Alfredo Pasta Fresh

  • Keep your one-pot chicken Alfredo pasta fresh and delicious with these easy tips.
  • Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. The creamy sauce might thicken, so gently reheat with a splash of chicken broth to restore its silky texture.
  • Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for quick future meals. Pro tip: Separate pasta from sauce slightly to maintain best quality when defrosting.
  • Warm gently on stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Microwave works too – cover and heat in 30-second intervals, mixing between each to distribute warmth evenly and prevent sauce separation.
  • Make extra batch during cooking. Portion out fresh servings for lunch or dinner, creating convenient grab-and-go meals that save time and reduce daily cooking stress.
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Dreamy One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Dreamy One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe


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4.8 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta brings Italian comfort straight to kitchen tables with minimal cleanup. Rich parmesan, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz (226 g) fettuccine or penne pasta, uncooked
  • 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth, low sodium
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
  • 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chicken Preparation: Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sear chicken pieces seasoned with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning until golden and fully cooked, then introduce minced garlic and sauté until aromatic.
  2. Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the pot, blending thoroughly. Submerge uncooked pasta completely in the liquid mixture.
  3. Pasta Simmering: Elevate heat to boiling, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow pasta to cook, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking, until pasta reaches perfect tenderness and sauce thickens naturally.
  4. Cheese Transformation: Incorporate butter, Parmesan, and mozzarella, stirring until sauce achieves a silky, luxurious consistency. Fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Notes

  • Stir frequently during cooking to ensure pasta doesn’t clump or stick to the bottom of the pot, creating an even cooking surface.
  • Watch the liquid-to-pasta ratio carefully; if sauce becomes too thick, add small amounts of chicken broth to maintain creamy texture.
  • Select short pasta like penne or rotini that absorbs sauce well and cooks evenly in one-pot method.
  • Substitute heavy cream with low-fat milk or dairy-free alternatives for lighter version; use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly adaptation.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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