This classic Olive Garden Grilled Chicken and Alfredo Sauce recipe is made up of a creamy, rich sauce that is not only delicious but easy to make, taking only 30 minutes! The creamy chicken alfredo sauce is one of the main reasons I started making copycat recipes! And I’m glad I did!
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Table of Contents
Why Everyone Loves the Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
Going to the Olive Garden was always a treat for my family when I was growing up so I understood why so many people asked me to make a copycat recipe for the Olive Garden Grilled Chicken and Alfredo Sauce. This creamy chicken alfredo sauce is one of my favorite Olive Garden copycat recipes.
I still find it one of my favorite recipes to make. The sauce is so creamy and rich and perfectly matches the grilled chicken and pasta. And did I mention how easy it is to make? From start to finish, it takes only 30 minutes to make. You are going to love the flavor!
What is the difference between Alfredo and Carbonara sauce?
Both sauces are to die for but there is a slight difference between the two. Alfredo is a white sauce made with butter, parsley, heavy cream, and garlic. Carbonara, on the other hand, is made with pecorino romano, eggs, black pepper, and guanciale.
Guanciale is an Italian cured meat from a pig. You can substitute Pancetta for it. Alfredo sauce is usually combined with shrimp or chicken.
Ingredients
Olive Garden Grilled Chicken with Alfredo Sauce is the perfect meal. Pair it with a salad or veggies to make it complete.
Here’s what you need:
- Chicken Breast
- Salt & Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Fettuccine noodles
- Heavy Cream
- Butter
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic Powder
How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo
Here are the steps to prepare this chicken alfredo recipe:
- Brush the chicken with olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Grill the chicken on each side until cooked through.
- In the meantime, prepare the pasta in a large pot according to the directions. Cook it to al dente and then drain off the pasta water but do not rinse the pasta.
- In a skillet, combine the heavy cream and butter over medium heat. Stir and heat until small bubbles form but do not let it boil.
- Whisk in the parmesan cheese and the garlic powder. The sauce will begin to thicken up.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and add the reserved pasta. Serve with the chicken on top.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Recipe Notes
- I use fettuccine, but you can substitute it with linguini or spaghetti. If you enjoy that pasta, this sauce would also be nice with a penne.
- When cooking the chicken, I like to saute it on the first side for about 5 to 7 minutes. Then flip it for an additional 3-4 minutes. Make sure it’s cooked through before serving.
- If you want to save some of the sauce, remove it from the pan before adding the pasta. Store it in a separate container so you can use it again. Keep it refrigerated.
What can you serve with grilled chicken and alfredo sauce
If you want to do a side dish with the chicken and pasta, I suggest something lighter pairing with this. For example, you may want to start with a fresh, crisp green salad or even some grilled vegetables. My air-fryer asparagus is very easy to prepare.
How to store leftovers
The best way to store chicken alfredo pasta is to place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. To do this, allow the pasta to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Be sure to cover the pasta with the alfredo sauce, as this will help prevent it from drying out.
How to reheat grilled chicken and pasta with alfredo sauce
When you’re ready to reheat the pasta, you can do so in the microwave or on the stove. If using the microwave, cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap to prevent splatters. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the pasta is heated through. If using the stove, transfer the pasta to a pan and heat over low to medium heat, frequently stirring, until heated through.
Similar Olive Garden Recipes
- Homemade Chicken Carbonara
- Alfredo with Shrimp
- Gorgonzola Steak Alfredo
- Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo
Favorite Italian Recipes
- Cavatini
- Homemade Italian Sausage
- Chicken Scampi Sauce
- Olive Garden Toscana Soup Recipe
- Buca de Peppo Recipe – Lemon Chicken
- Garlic Shrimp Scampi Red Lobster
- Instant Pot Sausage and Pasta
- Mussels Luciano
- California Pizza Salad
Be sure to check out more of the best Italian recipes and easy pasta recipes.
What do you like to serve with Alfredo sauce? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to share your creations by TAGGING ME ON INSTAGRAM. Sign up for my newsletter, so you never miss a copycat recipe!
Olive Garden Grilled Chicken and Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 12 ounces chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 ounces butter
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if desired
- 8 ounces Fettuccine or other pasta prepared according to package directions
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the chicken breasts with oil and season them with salt and pepper. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes on the first side. Flip the chicken breasts and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the grill and set aside. Cut the chicken into slices when ready to serve.
- To make the alfredo sauce, warm the cream and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat until small bubbles begin to form. Do not let the mixture come to a boil. Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk quickly. Add the garlic powder, if desired, and continue to whisk. The sauce will thicken after a minute or two.
- To serve, place half of the prepared pasta on each plate. Then top the pasta with sauce and sliced chicken breast.
Video
Notes
- I use fettuccine but you can substitute with linguini or even spaghetti. This sauce would also be nice with a penne if you enjoy that pasta.
- When cooking the chicken, I like to saute on the first side for about 5-7 minutes. Then flip it for an additional 3-4 minutes. Make sure it’s cooked through before serving.
- If you want to save some of the sauce, take it out of the pan before adding the pasta. Store it in a separate container so you can use it again. Keep it refrigerated.
Cody
I.use a pi t of heavy cream half a stick of butter and graded parmesan, asiago, and Romano cheese but I can’t seem to keep it from separating and becoming kind of chunky. It still taste amazing just don’t know how to keep it smooth an creamy.
Darlyn Contreras
Can you use the kraft parmesan cheese that is already grated?
Stephanie
The Kraft in the green bottle does not work well. Kraft adds a lot of anti-caking agents to that cheese so it will always shake out of the bottle.
Monica Rangel
How much of each ingredient should I use if I want to serve 8 people. I want to make sure there is enough alfredo sauce for everyone. Thank you!
Stephanie
I would double everything.
Carol Peontek
I am going elk hunting with my husband and a group of friends and we each are making a meal for everyone. I’d love to take this up for all of us to enjoy for my night. Can I cook everything ahead of time, put each item separately into a zip lock baggie, and cool it. Then a day or two later, heat everything separately in the bags, and just combine everything at the last minute after being heated up? I do a lot of “cooking” with zip lock bags put into boiling water. I’m hoping that this method would work for our group. Sounds absolutely wonderful! Thank you….Carol
Stephanie
Many people have reheated the soup as a whole. I personally might separate out the gnocchi from the soup. I sometimes think the gnocchi can get soft when left in the soup for a long time, but that is me.
Dearest
To Carol Peontek. Yes, it works well to cook ahead. It’s one of those foods that naturally marinates and tastes great the second and third days. In addition, you can use elk steak for this recipe, too. I use chicken, shrimp; beef, deer and elk steak for the meat, as well. You can’t go wrong with alfredo.
jesus
hi I have use this recipe but instead of the heavy cream I used garlic alfredo sauce and it taste about the same
tracy
Can I use something besides heavy cream
Stephanie
Milk of any form does not work, it does not have enough fat to make the sauce hold together. Half and half can do a barely passable job, the sauce will not be thick, but it will have good flavor.
Kristi
Does sauce freeze and heat well? If so, suggestions on how to do so?
Stephanie
I haven’t tried freezing it before. Sorry I can’t help.
Jeanne
I am having this exact problem. I am so frustrated. After spending 30 minutes trying to reveal this recipe, I have given up. I also won’t be buying that stupid 1TAC product EVER!
Stephanie
I am sorry what happened here? I don’t hide recipes on my website.
Roslen
Hi!!!! I am having company over tomorrow. Can the sauce and chicken be made a day in advance??? I will really be pressed for time tomorrow before my guests arrive. Thank you so much!!!!
Debbie
The narrative says to make sauce, and if you don’t eat it right away, store it. I take that as you can make a day in advance. Just do not store sauce with the pasta. Store separately
Stephanie
You are correct, don’t add the sauce to the pasta if you want to store it. If you store the two together the sauce soaks up into the pasta. Not good.
George
Stephanie you forgot the egg yolk…..Just one….
Stephanie
No, I didn’t forget this, I have chosen not to add it.
h
no
AmateurCollegian
Tried this recipe for the first time today, and I must say that it was simply fantastic~
And to that person below who suggested adding cream cheese to the sauce, that was definitely a good call. So absolutely creamy~
I definitely will be using this recipe again in the future.
Mary
Great recipe! But! Only added HALF the amount of garlic powder it calls for. That amount was plenty and gave it that little something extra without being overwhelming. Also added two ounces of cream cheese. That made it so luscious and creamy! Only use freshly grated parmesan…NEVER the already grated kind. This recipe is so simple yet so good. And I agree with storing the leftover pasta and sauce separately. When reheated together, the sauce curdles and becomes oily. 5 stars!
Stephanie
I am glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Jasmine Rivas
I used the whipping cream it is a little too watery and not a thick consistensy would that be cause i put too much butter or i didnt use heavy cream
Laurie
Don’t use whipping cream… Use heavy cream it is found in the milk section in a jug like the milk. If you whipping cream you used the incorrect ingredient. It’s heavy cream ( found in milk section ) not whipping cream (found in freezer section).
Claudia Colenzo Lamascolo
Stephanie I agree with you how in the world can you make this with egg yolks I have see it actually on a few other copycat sites and not be yellow? That also makes me think they are doing something with photo shop to keep it from turning that color on the photo. I cant imagine egg yolks in it even if Olive Garden has it on their site makes no sense to me.
damion
I had a buddy that worked for olive garden and one day i asked him what they used for their sauce and he told me they use chicken broth in their sauce…anyone ever use chicken broth making alfredo sauce?
nancy ruggiano
I actually make my sause just like this except for garlic powder i grate a pinch of fresh nutmeg in the sause gives it a bit of a nutty taste!!!
Stephanie Manley
I agree that nutmeg helps to add something to Alfredo sauce.
Alex
Tried this recipe tonight. It was great! Will be making this again, Thanks for the recipe.
Louise
I need to make this for 10. Should I just double the recipe?
Stephanie Manley
That should work.
CateOMalley
Butter. Heavy cream. Cheese. What’s not to like?
OrWhateverYouDo1
This is the only way to make alfredo in my opinion! Great recipe!
Beth B
I LOVE this recipe! Now if only it could appear on my dinner table… 🙂
Lauren @ HealthyDelish
Olive Garden totally used to be our “fancy occasion” restaurant. It’s even where I went for my high school graduation dinner! I haven’t been in years, but I do remember their alfredo being pretty fabulous.
stephaniemanley
It was the same for me too 😉 This was the special place to go. For me their Alfredo is my personal favorite.