If you’re looking for a dinner that’s both comforting and impressively simple, I’ve got just the thing for you: my One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe. This dish is a total game-changer when it comes to weeknight meals because it’s creamy, flavorful, and everything cooks in just one pan (less cleanup, yay!). I absolutely love how this turns out—creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta all in about 15 minutes. Let me walk you through how to make it so that you nail it every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Convenience: Cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks in just one pan.
- Rich, Creamy Flavor: The sauce is silky smooth, thanks to the mix of cream, milk, and freshly grated parmesan.
- Quick Weeknight Meal: From start to finish in about 15 minutes—perfect for busy evenings.
- Versatile and Customizable: Easily swap ingredients or add your favorite veggies to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work together beautifully to create that classic Alfredo flavor, but with the added bonus of juicy chicken and tender pasta all in one pot. I like to keep quality parmesan on hand—it really elevates the dish.

- Chicken breast: I cut mine in half horizontally so the pieces cook quickly and evenly.
- Olive oil: For that perfect sear on the chicken, plus a hint of richness.
- Fettuccine: The wide noodles hold the sauce beautifully; no need to pre-cook here.
- Milk: Any fat percentage works, but whole milk adds extra creaminess.
- Chicken stock/broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps cook the pasta right in the sauce.
- Garlic: Just one clove, minced finely, to keep the sauce fragrant but not overpowering.
- Heavy cream (thickened cream): This is the magic that makes the sauce luscious.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is a must to melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Parsley: For freshness and a pop of color when serving.
Variations
I love personalizing this One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or pantry. Feel free to make it your own—you’ll quickly find that it’s a super flexible base that welcomes all sorts of tweaks.
- Add veggies: Spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes add freshness and texture—I toss these in during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Use different pasta: Penne or rigatoni work great too if you don’t have fettuccine on hand.
- Dairy-free version: Swap cream for full-fat coconut milk and use a dairy-free parmesan alternative.
- Spicy kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce takes this comfort meal to the next level.
How to Make One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Start by sprinkling both sides of your chicken breast with salt and pepper. Get a skillet that’s wide enough to comfortably fit the pasta later on—that way, everything cooks evenly. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook it for 2 minutes on each side until it’s golden and cooked through. Taking the chicken off to rest for 5 minutes helps keep it juicy; then slice it while the pasta cooks.
Step 2: Simmer the Pasta in the Liquid
Into the same skillet, pour in the milk, chicken broth, and minced garlic. Bring it up to a gentle simmer, then add the fettuccine. Here’s a trick I learned: move the pasta around every 30 seconds or so for about 3 minutes to prevent it from sticking together. It’ll start to soften nicely.
Step 3: Finish Cooking and Add the Creamy Sauce
Once the pasta is nearly tender (around 9-10 minutes), you should still see some liquid left in the pan. This is perfect. Lower the heat to medium, then stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan. Simmer gently for about 2 minutes while stirring occasionally—the sauce will thicken beautifully and coat the pasta just right.
If your sauce gets too thick and gluey, don’t panic: add a splash of hot tap water and give it a few good tosses. I discovered this little trick the hard way, and it saves the sauce from drying out every time!
Step 4: Serve It Up!
Adjust salt and pepper to taste, then toss in your sliced chicken. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan and chopped parsley for that fresh pop of color and flavor.
Pro Tips for Making One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
- Use a Wide Skillet: Having enough space lets the pasta cook evenly and prevents it from sticking into a clump.
- Rest Your Chicken: Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps it juicy and tender—definitely worth the wait.
- Keep an Eye on Liquid Levels: If the sauce gets too thick too fast, add a splash of hot water to bring it back to luxuriously creamy.
- Stir Frequently but Gently: This helps keep the pasta from clumping and ensures the sauce heats evenly without breaking.
How to Serve One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Garnishes
I’m a big fan of simple garnishes that add color and a fresh bite. A generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley always brightens up the plate. Sometimes, I like to add an extra grating of parmesan on top for those cheese lovers in the family (aka me!).
Side Dishes
This dish is pretty hearty on its own, but I often serve it with a crisp side salad dressed with vinaigrette to balance the creaminess. Garlic bread is a classic partner—perfect for sopping up any leftover sauce. Roasted or steamed green veggies like broccoli or asparagus also pair wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving this for a cozy dinner party, try plating the pasta in shallow bowls and topping each portion with a sprig of fresh parsley and a small drizzle of truffle oil for a luxurious touch. I’ve also seen it served in little cast-iron skillets for a rustic, casual vibe that’s perfect for impressing guests without the fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. One thing I learned is to keep the sauce loose by stirring in a splash of milk before refrigerating—that way, it doesn’t turn into a clumpy mess.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times in portions, but it’s best thawed slowly in the fridge overnight. Because of the cream, the texture can change a bit, so I recommend remaking the sauce fresh if possible after thawing for the best silky experience.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a small splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce as it warms up. It helps bring back that fresh-out-of-the-pan creaminess. Microwave works too if you’re in a rush, but stir halfway through.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of pasta in this One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe?
Absolutely! While fettuccine is traditional and holds the sauce beautifully, you can swap in penne, rigatoni, or even spaghetti. Just keep an eye on cooking times since they vary slightly between shapes.
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How do I avoid the sauce becoming too thick or gluey?
Great question! Watch the liquid levels closely as you cook. If the sauce thickens too fast or seems clumpy, add a small splash of hot water or milk and stir well to loosen it. This simple trick always brings the creamy texture back.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?
Yes! Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use a plant-based milk for the sauce. Nutritional yeast makes a great parmesan alternative to add cheesiness while keeping it vegan-friendly.
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Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely. This One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe reheats well and can be portioned into meal prep containers for lunches or easy dinners later in the week. Just remember to loosen the sauce when reheating.
Final Thoughts
One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort meals because it combines speed, simplicity, and indulgent flavor all in one skillet. I love that I can whip it up after a busy day and still serve something that feels like a treat. Give it a try—you’ll love how easy it is to make and how quickly it disappears off the plate. Trust me, your family and friends are going to go crazy for this one!
Print
One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breast with creamy Alfredo sauce and fettuccine pasta, all cooked together in a single skillet for a quick and delicious meal. The dish features a rich sauce made from milk, heavy cream, and freshly grated parmesan cheese, garnished with parsley for freshness. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 200 g / 7 oz chicken breast, cut in half horizontally
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 250 g / 8 oz fettuccine
- 2 cups milk (any fat percentage)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock / broth
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup thickened / heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional freshly grated parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken breasts to enhance flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Add Liquids and Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-high and add the milk, chicken broth, and minced garlic to the same skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Add fettuccine pasta to the simmering liquid. Stir and move the pasta every 30 seconds to prevent sticking. After about 3 minutes, when the pasta softens, reduce heat to medium and stir every couple of minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: At around 9–10 minutes, when the pasta is almost cooked and there is still liquid in the pan, add the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine.
- Thicken Sauce: Continue to simmer the pasta and sauce for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the pasta is fully cooked. If the sauce becomes too thick or gluggy, add a splash of hot water and toss to restore a silky texture.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken and return it to the skillet or plate over the pasta. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, garnish with parsley and extra parmesan if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- This dish is made in one pot (skillet) for easy cleanup and convenience.
- The heavy cream adds richness, but you can adjust cream quantity for a lighter sauce.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- To prevent the sauce from becoming too thick, add a splash of hot water if needed.
- Resting chicken before slicing keeps it juicy and tender.
- Video tutorial available to guide through the process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 400 g
- Calories: 491 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg

