How To Season Chicken for Chicken Alfredo

1. Pat your chicken dry before seasoning. Moisture = steam = no sear. And we want that golden crust.
2. Season both sides of your chicken with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken dry first — this helps you get that golden, crisp sear.
3. You could also toss in Italian seasoning or a pinch of cayenne if you want a kick. Just rub everything over the chicken before you sear it.

Pro tip: Let the seasoned chicken rest for 10 minutes at room temp before cooking. It helps with even browning.

How To Cook the Chicken for Chicken Alfredo

1. Heat the olive oil (or butter) in a large skillet over medium-high heat
2. Lay the chicken in — don’t crowd the pan, and cook undisturbed for about 4–5 minutes until golden and crusty
3. Flip and cook the other side another 4–5 minutes, or until fully cooked
4. If using thicker chicken, lower the heat or finish in the oven at 375°F
5. Transfer to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing

Alfredo Sauce

Store-bought sauces are often too salty, too thick, or weirdly grainy. The secret to a perfectly smooth, rich, homemade Alfredo sauce is low heat and real ingredients. That’s it.

You’re going to want to:

1. In the same skillet (wipe out any burnt bits), melt butter over medium-low heat
2. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant — don’t brown it
3. Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently
4. Let it simmer (not boil) for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally
5. Stir in the Parmesan cheese a handful at a time until melted and smooth
6. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste
7. Keep warm on low heat while preparing the pasta

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or pasta water to loosen it. If it breaks, lower the heat and stir in cold cream slowly.

Cook Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
2. Cook your fettuccine until just al dente (firm with a slight bite)
3. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water

Bringing It All Together

1. Add the cooked pasta straight into the Alfredo sauce
2. Pour in a splash of pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed
3. Toss everything gently so the noodles are fully coated
4. Slice the rested chicken and place on top (or toss it in if you prefer it mixed)
5. Add any optional veggies or shrimp at this stage
6. Finish with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper

Optional: Top with more Parmesan and cracked black pepper if you want. Drizzle a little garlic butter over the top. It’s next-level.