Description
🍝 Creamy Alfredo pasta with tender chicken and fresh zucchini ready in under 30 minutes.
🥒 Simple ingredients deliver a comforting, protein‑packed meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
– 6 chicken cutlets or chicken tenders
– 2 Tbsp olive oil
– 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil & thyme)
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
– 1 lb (≈ 450 g) long-cut pasta (fettuccine, pappardelle, linguine, etc.)
– 1 stick (8 Tbsp ≈ 115 g) salted butter
– 2 medium zucchini (or yellow summer squash), thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– Chili flakes, to taste
– 6 oz (≈ 170 g) cream cheese, cubed
– 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk, heavy cream, or a 1:1 blend of both
– 1 ½ cups (≈ 150 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (block-grated recommended)
– ½ cup (≈ 15 g) fresh basil or parsley, chopped
– Additional salt and pepper, as needed
Instructions
1-Getting started: Getting started with this Chicken Zucchini Alfredo Pasta is as easy as it gets. First, prepare your ingredients by rubbing the chicken with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook it in a hot skillet for about 5 minutes per side until it reaches 165°F inside, then slice it up.
2-Next: boil your pasta in salted water until it’s al dente, which takes around 8-10 minutes. Don’t forget to save a cup of that pasta water for later it helps with the sauce.
3-Now, make the sauce: Melt butter in a pan, add zucchini, garlic, oregano, and chili flakes, and cook until the zucchini turns golden, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat, mix in cream cheese until it melts, then add milk or cream and Parmesan while whisking. Let it simmer gently to thicken. Finally, toss in the pasta, add some reserved water if needed, and stir in fresh basil or parsley. Serve right away with the chicken on top it’s ready in about 30 minutes total.
Notes
🍗 Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
🧈 Grate Parmesan from a block for a smoother melt and richer flavor.
🌿 Use a mandoline or slice zucchini thinly to ensure quick, even cooking and a delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Stovetop sauté and boil
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup pasta with sauce and chicken (≈ 250 g)
- Calories: 778 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
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