Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Recipe Made Simple

Crafting an olive garden chicken alfredo recipe at home brings restaurant-quality magic right into your kitchen.

Creamy pasta dreams start with simple ingredients and a dash of culinary passion.

Rich parmesan and tender chicken create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Restaurants guard their secrets, but you can now unlock this classic Italian-american comfort dish.

Professional chefs make it look effortless, yet anyone can master this delightful meal with a few key techniques.

Smooth sauce, perfectly cooked chicken, and al dente pasta promise a dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll be the star of mealtime with this crowd-pleasing classic that turns an ordinary evening into a memorable feast.

Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo: Why It’s Famous

• Master Classic Italian Cuisine: Even home cooks with basic skills can recreate this iconic Olive Garden dish, transforming ordinary ingredients into a creamy, delicious meal that looks and tastes professionally prepared.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe offers flexible options to add personal touches like extra herbs, different protein choices, or additional vegetables, allowing you to make it uniquely yours without complicated modifications.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: With just a few simple steps and minimal ingredients, this chicken alfredo comes together super fast, reducing kitchen stress and providing a satisfying meal in less than an hour.

Ingredients Needed For Chicken Alfredo Copycat

• Fettuccine Pasta: A classic Italian pasta that provides the perfect base for this creamy Alfredo dish.
• Chicken: Tender protein that adds heartiness and flavor to the recipe.
• Heavy Cream: Creates the rich and smooth foundation for the classic Alfredo sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic: Provides a robust and aromatic flavor to the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish that brings a fresh, bright note to the final presentation.

Cooking Steps For Chicken Alfredo Success

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Perfectly

Boil the fettuccine in salted water until it reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready to be transformed into a creamy masterpiece.

Step 2: Awaken the Garlic

Heat a large skillet and melt butter until it’s bubbling and golden.

Introduce minced garlic to the pan, stirring gently until its aroma fills the kitchen and becomes wonderfully fragrant.

Step 3: Create Luxurious Cream Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream, letting it dance and simmer in the skillet.

Watch as the cream begins to thicken and develop a silky smooth consistency that promises pure deliciousness.

Step 4: Build the Cheesy Foundation

Sprinkle in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously.

The cheese will melt and transform the cream into a rich, velvety sauce.

Season with a pinch of salt and a dash of black pepper to elevate the flavors.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Pasta

Gently fold in the cooked chicken slices and the prepared fettuccine.

Toss everything together, ensuring each strand of pasta and every piece of chicken is generously coated in the decadent Alfredo sauce.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Transfer the creamy chicken Alfredo to serving plates.

For an extra touch of freshness, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top.

Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and inviting.

Tips For Creamy Chicken Alfredo At Home

• Cook fettuccine al dente to maintain a perfect bite and prevent mushiness in your Chicken Alfredo.
• Gradually add Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously to ensure smooth, creamy consistency without clumping.
• Roast minced garlic briefly before adding cream to release richer, more intense aromatics in the sauce.
• Simmer cream slowly and reduce heat to help sauce thicken naturally without becoming too runny or burning.
• Use grilled or pan-seared chicken breast instead of pre-cooked chicken for more robust, fresh-tasting meat flavor.

Olive Garden Alfredo: Twists & Upgrades

• Veggie Lover's Alfredo: Replace chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free fettuccine pasta and ensure Parmesan cheese is certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining creamy texture.
• Seafood Swap: Substitute chicken with sautéed shrimp or chunks of white fish for a different protein-packed seafood Alfredo experience.

Serving Chicken Alfredo Restaurant-Style

• Comfort Plate Pairing: Serve alongside a crisp caesar salad for a balanced, restaurant-style meal that adds fresh greens and crunchy texture.
• Bread Lover's Delight: Warm garlic breadsticks or crusty Italian bread make the perfect accompaniment to soak up the rich, creamy alfredo sauce.
• Wine Companion: Select a light white wine like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay to complement the rich chicken and smooth sauce, enhancing the dining experience.
• Veggie Boost: Add roasted broccoli or sautéed spinach on the side to increase nutritional value and provide a colorful contrast to the creamy pasta dish.

Alfredo Leftovers: Storage & Reheating Advice

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer chicken alfredo to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces as they might separate.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Add splash of cream or milk to restore sauce consistency. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm in skillet over medium-low heat. Add small amount of cream or milk to prevent sauce from breaking. Stir frequently until heated evenly, preventing sticking or burning.

FAQs

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. They’re lean, cook quickly, and absorb the creamy sauce perfectly.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

While fettuccine is traditional, you can substitute with linguine or penne for similar results. Just ensure the pasta is cooked al dente.

• How do I prevent the sauce from becoming grainy?

Always add Parmesan cheese gradually and stir constantly. Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-packaged, which helps create a smoother sauce.

• Is there a way to make this dish lighter?

Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, and use less Parmesan cheese. You can also use grilled chicken instead of pan-cooked for fewer calories.

Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Olive Garden’s legendary Chicken Alfredo brings creamy Italian comfort straight to your kitchen with restaurant-quality pasta and rich, velvety sauce. Homemade pasta perfection awaits when you recreate this classic dish that delivers luxurious flavors and satisfying warmth in every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and sliced

Pasta:

• 1 pound (1 lb) fettuccine pasta

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (0.5 cups) unsalted butter
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Boil fettuccine in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, ensuring pasta is tender yet firm. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating a smooth melting base for the sauce.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the butter, sautéing for 30-45 seconds until aromatic and lightly golden, releasing its rich flavor profile.
4. Gently pour heavy cream into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce for 3-4 minutes, creating a luxurious sauce foundation.
5. Gradually incorporate grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a smooth, creamy consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall taste.
6. Carefully fold cooked chicken slices into the alfredo sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the velvety mixture.
7. Add prepared fettuccine to the skillet, delicately tossing the pasta to completely integrate it with the sauce and chicken.
8. Transfer the chicken alfredo to serving plates, ensuring an even distribution of sauce and ingredients. Optional: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley on top for a vibrant garnish and added freshness.
9. Serve immediately while the dish remains hot and the sauce maintains its creamy texture.

Notes

• Cook fettuccine al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing a mushy texture and ensuring the pasta holds the creamy sauce beautifully.
• Mince garlic finely and avoid burning to prevent a bitter taste, releasing its aromatic flavors gently in butter.
• Whisk Parmesan cheese slowly into the cream to create a silky, lump-free sauce that coats pasta evenly.
• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories, and use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 1048 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 390 mg
• Fat: 75 g
• Saturated Fat: 45 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg