Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast! This isn't just another pasta recipe – it's a creamy, decadent masterpiece that combines the richness of Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, crispy bacon, and vibrant broccoli in one irresistible dish. Whether you're looking to impress your family or create a restaurant-quality meal at home, this Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo will become your new go-to recipe that promises to make everyone at the table ask for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare all ingredients by dicing chicken, chopping broccoli, and grating Parmesan cheese.
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble when cool. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
- In the same skillet with bacon fat, season diced chicken with salt and pepper. Cook chicken over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add fettuccine to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. During the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add broccoli florets to the same pot.
- While pasta cooks, prepare Alfredo sauce in the skillet. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water. Add pasta, broccoli, chicken, and crumbled bacon to the Alfredo sauce. Toss to coat evenly, using reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve immediately in warm pasta bowls, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest sauce. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining – the starchy liquid is a secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency and helping ingredients stick together.
- Cook bacon until it's perfectly crisp, as it adds a crucial textural contrast and smoky flavor to the dish.
- Don't overcook the chicken – aim for golden brown exterior and juicy interior. Use medium-high heat and cook just until no pink remains.
- For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic or a pinch of nutmeg to the Alfredo sauce.
- Serve immediately after combining ingredients to ensure the sauce remains creamy and the pasta is at its optimal temperature.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little reserved pasta water or additional cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 45g
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Cholesterol: 180mg
