After one particularly chaotic Monday when my kids had sports practice, homework meltdowns, and I was running on fumes from a demanding day at work, I discovered the magic of this One Pot Chicken Alfredo. What started as a desperate attempt to avoid ordering pizza became our family’s most requested meal. The best part? Just one pot to wash and dinner is on the table in 30 minutes!
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Incredibly versatile – can be customized with different proteins and vegetables
- One pot cooking means minimal cleanup and less kitchen stress
- Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish – perfect for busy weeknights
- Uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator
- The homemade alfredo sauce is far superior to jarred versions
- Great way to use up leftover chicken or easily adapt with freshly cooked chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken – Provides protein and makes this a satisfying complete meal
- Pasta – Fettuccine is traditional, but any pasta shape works well
- Heavy cream – Creates the rich, luxurious base for the alfredo sauce
- Parmesan cheese – Adds savory depth and thickens the sauce naturally
- Butter РAdds richness and is essential for saut̩ing aromatics
- Garlic or shallot – Provides aromatic foundation for the sauce
- Salt and pepper – Enhances all the flavors in the dish
- Chives (optional) – Adds a mild onion flavor and bright color garnish
- Mozzarella cheese (optional) – Creates an extra layer of cheesy goodness
How to Make Chicken Alfredo One Pot Method
There is nothing complicated or difficult about making this dish. Here’s what you do in brief:
- Sauté the shallots or garlic in butter.
- Remove the sauteed garlic and wipe out the skillet.
- Pour the pasta into the skillet and add salted water.
- Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce the heat to simmer until the pasta is softened and the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the cream, parmesan, chicken, and shallots/garlic.
- Stir to combine all the ingredients together.
- Season to taste and sprinkle with chives and mozzarella if desired.
One Pot Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon chopped garlic or shallots
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- salt to taste
- chopped chives if desired
- mozzarella cheese optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain pasta.
- In the same large pot, saute minced garlic in 1 tablespoon of butter. Saute over medium heat until the garlic is tender.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, drained pasta, and chicken. Blend until the cheese has melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.
- Sprinkle with chives and add mozzarella cheese if desired. You can pop the pot into your oven set on broil if you want to brown the added mozzarella cheese for an added effect.
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
If the sauce gets too thick and gluggy, add a splash of hot water. If the pasta is still not tender enough for your liking, add ¼ to ½ cup of hot water and keep cooking.
It’s best to use freshly grated (not shredded) parmesan. Pre-shredded cheeses tend to be coated with anti-caking agents that prevent them from becoming smooth and melty.
One Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe Variations
This recipe involves chicken, but you can use any cooked meat you have on hand. Here are a few ideas if you want to vary this pasta recipe.
- Protein: Substitute shrimp for shrimp pasta alfredo or shrimp fettuccine alfredo if you go with fettuccine. Other tasty ideas are thinly sliced chicken sausage or prosciutto.
- Pasta: Instead of fettuccine or other long pasta, you can use your favorite short or medium pasta or noodle – farfalle, penne, rigatoni, rotini, shells, ziti, etc.
- Vegetable: About halfway through the pasta cooking time, add some veggies of your choice – halved grape tomatoes, shredded spinach, small broccoli florets, red or green bell peppers. Or toss in some sundried tomatoes or sliced black olives when the pasta is cooked.
- Butter: Substitute olive oil for sauteeing the garlic.
- Chives: Use chopped fresh parsley instead.
- Crunch: Toast some panko breadcrumbs in a skillet with butter and use them as a garnish.
- Heat: Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning for a Cajun spice one pot alfredo with chicken.
- Creaminess: To save on calories, you can substitute half and half for the heavy cream, but your pasta sauce will be less rich and creamy.
How to Serve One Pot Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
This creamy fettuccine dish (or your other choice of pasta) pairs well with a simple green salad or a veggie side like roasted asparagus or fried zucchini. You also can’t go wrong with garlic bread to sop up all that delicious alfredo sauce.
How to Store One Pot Chicken Alfredo
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezing pasta with alfredo sauce is not recommended.
To reheat, add a few splashes of milk and reheat gently on the stove in a wide pan until thoroughly heated.
Love Alfredo Sauce? Try These Recipes!
- Baked Tortellini Alfredo
- Crab Alfredo
- Creamy Alfredo Sauce
- Gnocchi Alfredo
- Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo
- Shrimp Alfredo
- Spicy Alfredo Sauce
- Steak Alfredo
Favorite Italian Pasta Recipes
Check out my easy pasta recipes and the best Italian recipes on CopyKat!
Stephanie, I tried this recipe tonight and it was so good! Love how easy it is.. Miss you girl.
Janet
Is this just a random recipe or a copy cat of red barons pan pasta??? They discontinued it years ago and I’ve been dying to eat it again.
This was a random recipe that was thrown in.
I’m with you. I’ve been trying to find that recipe for years. I miss that pasta bake.
I love pasta and always love to experiment while cooking it. Lately, I read your blog and tried Gustora’s fusilli pasta and it was simply amazing.
Follow the directions. Used shallots and added a little garlic powder when I mixed in the rest of the ingredients. Pleasantly surprised. Will make again. Thank you for the recipe
I love quick pasta dishes like this! They never disappoint!
This is our kind of meal! We love chicken alfredo, though I usually use a jarred alfredo sauce. I’m sure homemade like this is so much better.
Oh, put that jar down, you can make it like this. It’s really tasty.
My friends and I were just talking about how hard finding a good alfredo recipe can be. I still haven’t found one I love, so you better believe this will be the next one I try!
I hope you enjoy this recipe.
Okay, I am seriously happy about this recipe. We love chicken alfredo and I am thrilled for a quick way to make it, especially when I am tired. Awesome. I am pinning this!
🙂
Traci
This looks absolutely delicious! I love quick and easy too!
This looks quick and easy enough that I could make it with my little ones running around underfoot….plus it looks so tasty! Can’t wait to make it!
Thank you very much. It is pretty easy to make, and I can imagine with kids you need dinner to be easy.
Can you use th ed pares an cheese in the big jar, like the stuff you sprinkel on pizzas ??
this is something my family would definitely enjoy. Must make it for them soon.
It is tasty and fast, that is hard to beat.
I love this – so easy to make a yummy and homemade meal in no time. This would definitely be a crowd-pleaser in my home!
This tastes so much better than some of those boxed skillet dinners.