Name: One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 200 g / 7 oz chicken breast, cut in half horizontally; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 tbsp olive oil; 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; Parsley, chopped, for garnish; Additional freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

If you’re craving creamy, comforting pasta without the usual mess, I’ve got just the recipe for you — this One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe is an absolute game-changer. It’s rich, delicious, and the best part? It all comes together in a single pan, saving you from doing a mountain of dishes. I love this recipe because it’s quick enough for a busy weeknight but fancy enough to impress whoever’s at your table.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Simplicity: You get ultra-creamy Alfredo with perfectly cooked chicken and pasta all in the same pot, meaning fewer dishes and less fuss.
Speedy Dinner Fix: From start to finish, it takes about 15 minutes, so you can have dinner on the table before you know it.
Juicy, Golden Chicken: Cooking the chicken separately ensures it stays juicy and gets that beautiful golden crust — no sad boiled chicken here.
Comfort Food at Its Best: Rich, creamy sauce with fresh parmesan and garlic that’ll make your family ask for seconds.

A white bowl filled with creamy fettuccine pasta topped with pieces of light golden-brown cooked chicken and sprinkled with small bright green parsley bits. The pasta is coated with a smooth, pale cream sauce and is twisted into soft loops. The bowl sits on a white cloth napkin, all placed on a white marbled surface. A silver fork is positioned to the left side of the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta, creamy chicken pasta recipe, easy one pan Alfredo, quick weeknight pasta, simple chicken Alfredo dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe serves a purpose — from tender chicken breast to the creamy parmesan sauce. Using fresh garlic and freshly grated parmesan really takes this from good to incredible, so I always recommend grabbing the freshest you can find.

Flat lay of a freshly sliced raw chicken breast with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper, a small pool of golden olive oil in a simple white ceramic bowl, uncooked fettuccine pasta neatly arranged, a small white bowl filled with creamy milk, another white bowl containing clear chicken stock, a peeled large garlic clove finely minced beside it, a small white bowl of thick heavy cream, a small white bowl heaped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a few vibrant green sprigs of parsley, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta, creamy chicken pasta recipe, easy one pan Alfredo, quick weeknight pasta, simple chicken Alfredo dish

Chicken breast: Using split chicken breast halves helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning that brings out the chicken’s flavor perfectly.
Olive oil: Helps to get that beautiful golden sear on the chicken.
Fettuccine: Classic choice for Alfredo — the flat noodles hold sauce beautifully.
Milk: Adds creaminess without heaviness; feel free to use any fat percentage.
Chicken stock/broth: A key to flavor — homemade or good-quality store-bought makes a big difference.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds that irresistible aroma and depth.
Heavy cream (thickened cream): Enriches the sauce and makes it decadently smooth.
Freshly grated parmesan: Fresh is best because it melts into the sauce silky-smooth.
Parsley: For garnish — fresh and brightens up the dish.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love encouraging you to make this One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe your own. Over time, I played with a few tweaks and found some ways to swap ingredients or add flavor boosts that you might enjoy too!

Mushroom and Spinach Addition: Adding sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach gives this a hearty, earthy twist that my family goes crazy for.
Use Shrimp Instead of Chicken: I once swapped chicken for shrimp, and it still worked beautifully — just cook shrimp until pink before removing and add them back in at the end.
Dairy-Free Version: Try substituting cream with coconut milk and parmesan with nutritional yeast if you want a dairy-free feel without sacrificing creaminess.
Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce shakes up the flavors for those who love a little heat.

How to Make One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Chicken Until Golden and Juicy

Start by seasoning your chicken breast halves with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat — I like to use one large enough to fit the pasta later on, so you really just need one pan. Add the chicken and cook for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. The crust you get here is what makes the chicken extra flavorful and far from boring boiled chicken. Once done, transfer it to a plate to rest for 5 minutes; this keeps the juices locked in while you finish the pasta.

Step 2: Simmer the Sauce and Cook the Fettuccine

Pour the milk, chicken broth, and minced garlic into the same skillet. Bring it to a simmer, then add the fettuccine. Now here’s a trick I discovered: move the pasta around every 30 seconds or so to prevent sticking. It softens in about 3 minutes — don’t rush it! Once it’s softened, lower the heat to medium, stirring every couple of minutes to keep it from sticking or burning. Around minutes 9 to 10, the pasta should be just about cooked but still swimming in liquid — that’s the magic sauce stage.

Step 3: Finish with Cream, Parmesan, and Serve

Now, add the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan, then stir everything together. Simmer gently for about 2 minutes while stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens just right and the pasta is tender. Be careful not to overcook — if the sauce becomes too thick or “gluggy,” I’ve learned that adding a splash of hot water fixes the sauce instantly, restoring that silky texture. Season to taste with salt and pepper, slice your rested chicken, and serve the pasta topped with the chicken, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and extra parmesan if you’re feeling fancy!

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Pro Tips for Making One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

Use a Non-Stick Skillet: Helps prevent the pasta from sticking as it softens, making stirring and tossing much easier.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Removing it early and resting lets the chicken stay juicy when sliced later.
Fresh Parmesan Is Key: Grate it yourself for the creamiest, most luxurious sauce — store-bought chunks can be too coarse.
Adjust Sauce Consistency With Hot Water: If sauce thickens too much before serving, easily loosen it with a small splash of hot water without losing flavor.

How to Serve One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I always crown my One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a little extra grated parmesan. The parsley adds a touch of bright color and freshness, cutting through the richness of the sauce — it balances everything beautifully. Sometimes, I add a little cracked black pepper for just a tiny kick.

Side Dishes

Because this pasta is so creamy and satisfying, I like to keep sides light and simple — a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or steamed broccoli are my go-to partners. Garlic bread also pairs perfectly if you want to indulge a bit.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve this dish in individual shallow bowls, garnished with edible flowers or microgreens for color. Another fun idea is to plate the pasta with sliced chicken fanned out on top, drizzle a little extra cream or olive oil over it, and finish with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs for crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge — it keeps well up to 3 days. You might notice the sauce thickens in the fridge, but don’t worry, it’s easy to revive.

Freezing

I personally don’t freeze this dish often because the sauce’s texture can change slightly, becoming grainy after thawing, but if you do freeze it, use an airtight container and thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

When reheating, I like to warm the pasta gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce. Stir gently until heated through — the sauce comes back silky and luscious every time.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! While fettuccine is classic, other pasta shapes like linguine, penne, or even rigatoni work great too. Just keep an eye on the cooking time since different shapes cook differently, and adjust liquid amounts if needed.
Is it okay to use light cream instead of heavy cream?

Yes! Light cream will work fine and still give you a creamy sauce, but it won’t be quite as rich or thick as with heavy cream. If you want more richness without heavy cream, try adding a little extra parmesan.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking while cooking in one pot?

Great question! Stir the pasta gently every 30 seconds or so while it softens and cooks in the liquid. Using enough liquid and moderate heat helps too. This keeps the pasta separated and evenly cooked without sticking.
Can I cook the chicken diced in with the pasta?

You can, but I’ve found cooking the chicken separately gives juicier, prettier pieces with a golden crust. Diced chicken cooked with the pasta can get a bit dry and won’t brown as nicely.

Final Thoughts

This One Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe really checks all the boxes for me — creamy, comforting, simple to make, and only one pan to clean up afterward. When I first made it, I was amazed at how rich the sauce was without using complicated techniques or a laundry list of ingredients. If you’re looking for a reliable, delicious pasta dinner that feels like a treat but won’t keep you in the kitchen, give this a try. I have no doubt it’ll become a favorite in your rotation, just like it did in mine!