Description
Creamy chicken alfredo casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table with cheesy pasta goodness that satisfies hunger and warms hearts. Packed with tender chicken and a rich sauce, this hearty meal comes together quickly for a delicious family feast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 3 cloves garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring every surface gets covered.
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil, then add 12 oz fettuccine, cooking exactly 8-9 minutes until perfectly tender.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside while reserving ¼ cup of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Cut 3-4 chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes, seasoning generously with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper.
- Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add chicken pieces and sauté for 6-7 minutes until golden brown edges develop.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and add 3 minced garlic cloves, stirring for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not burning.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet, whisking continuously while adding 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes smooth and silky.
- Combine cooked pasta and chicken in the skillet, gently folding until every strand gets evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden and edges bubble enthusiastically.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked by checking its internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese instead of using pre-packaged for a richer, more authentic flavor in your sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use Greek yogurt to maintain creaminess.
- Keep extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on hand to sprinkle on top right before serving for added freshness and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 740 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg