Rachael Ray’s creamy and delicious chicken alfredo is a fan favorite recipe. This fettuccine alfredo dish packs a flavor punch and comes together in just 25 minutes But how exactly does the famous chef make thisItalian pasta classic? Let’s take a closer look at Rachael’s method for creating chicken alfredo perfection
Rachael Ray is famous for her easy 30-minute meals and way of cooking. Her chicken alfredo recipe is no exception. You can make a pasta dish that looks like it came from a restaurant in just 25 minutes. Simple things like fettuccine, chicken breasts, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese are used in this recipe to make something amazing. Read on to find out Rachael’s exact steps for making this delicious chicken alfredo.
Overview of Ingredients
To make chicken alfredo like Rachael, you’ll need:
- Fettuccine pasta
- Chicken breasts
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley
That’s it! A short ingredient list makes this a very approachable recipe for home cooks.
Step-By-Step Method
Here is a walkthrough of how Rachael Ray makes her chicken alfredo step-by-step
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the fettuccine and cook al dente according to package directions.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- While water is boiling, pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest. Once cool, dice or shred the chicken breasts.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
- Add chopped garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and reserved pasta water. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add in grated Parmesan. Stir continuously until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Add cooked fettuccine and chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together.
- Add a splash more pasta water if needed to thin out the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
- Remove pan from heat and stir in chopped parsley.
- Transfer fettuccine alfredo to serving plates and top with more Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Enjoy this fast and flavorful chicken alfredo!
And that’s how Rachael Ray makes her simple yet scrumptious chicken alfredo! The key steps are cooking the pasta, sauteing the chicken, making a creamy Parmesan sauce, and combining everything together for a quick and easy meal. Give this recipe a try and you’ll see why it’s a Rachael Ray classic.
Tips for the Best Chicken Alfredo
Here are some extra tips from Rachael for getting the most flavor and the perfect texture when making chicken alfredo:
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Be sure to rehydrate dried parsley in cold water for a few minutes if using instead of fresh. This boosts flavor.
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Don’t overcook the pasta. Drain it when still al dente. The pasta will finish cooking in the skillet with the sauce.
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Add a splash of cream or pasta water if the sauce gets too thick. It should lightly coat the noodles.
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Use high-quality Parmesan for the best flavor. Freshly grate it yourself instead of buying pre-grated.
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Add more pepper and salt until the flavors really stand out. This makes all the difference.
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Garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley for a pop of color.
Make It Your Own
Part of the fun of this chicken alfredo recipe is customizing it to suit your tastes. Try these easy variations:
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Use linguine or rigatoni instead of fettuccine.
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Swap in zucchini noodles or other veggie pastas for a lighter option.
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Add sauteed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or spinach for extra flavor.
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Use Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to give it a kick.
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Top with grilled or blackened chicken instead of sauteed.
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Stir in lemon juice and zest for brightness.
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Substitute half-and-half or milk if you don’t have heavy cream.
The possibilities are endless! Play around with different add-ins and flavors while keeping Rachael’s basic technique.
Enjoy Restaurant Quality at Home
Rachael Ray’s simple chicken alfredo recipe only needs a few things to make it your new favorite weeknight dinner. With Rachael’s easy-to-follow method, you can have perfect pasta in just 25 minutes. Follow her steps to make a tasty meal that the whole family will love, from boiling the noodles to making the creamy sauce to adding the chicken. Mangia!.
Rachael Ray: Food Blogger Siri Pinter
Rachael also praised Siri’s blog for encouraging people to make something delicious in the kitchen on a regular basis, not just for holidays or special occasions.
Pinter, the fiancee of TV host Carson Daly, is also a mother of three. She met Daly when they worked together years ago. Her food blog is called Siriously Delicious. I wonder if Daly gets to taste test all the recipes and kitchen experiments.
Rachael Ray: One-Pot Dinner
Rachael Ray invited Siri Pinter into her kitchen with a One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe for dinner. Do you need another one-pot idea? Rachael also made a Roasted Vegetable Stew.
Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces for more even cooking. Siri Pinter was surprised that you can add uncooked pasta to a recipe like this, but Rachael said it is actually a tradition in some Italian recipes.
I love anything like this that you can basically put together and let cook itself. Finely grating the cheese is the way to go, the ladies agreed.
Stuart O’Keeffe’s Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo
FAQ
What makes chicken alfredo taste better?
Several factors contribute to a better-tasting chicken Alfredo. High-quality Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and a touch of black pepper are essential for the sauce. Searing the chicken to develop flavor, using pasta water to create a creamy sauce, and incorporating fresh herbs like parsley or basil can elevate the dish.
What is the main ingredient in chicken alfredo?
Key Ingredients in Chicken Alfredo PastaFettuccine: This recipe calls for a half pound of pasta and serves four people. Adding heavy cream: Some recipes don’t call for it, but we believe it makes the best and smoothest Alfredo sauce. Chicken breasts: Sear the chicken in a skillet, then make the sauce.
Why does Olive Garden Alfredo taste so good?
The heavy cream is what makes the Olive Garden Alfredo sauce stand out. And that has been the case since 1982, when the chain first opened in Orlando, Florida. Other versions of Alfredo sauce keeps things simple with no cream. It’s a very Parmesan-and-butter forward recipe.
What’s the difference between chicken fettuccine alfredo and chicken alfredo?
Chicken alfredo is chicken that is served with pasta and a creamy parmesan sauce, also called alfredo sauce. Chicken fettuccine simply means chicken is served with fettuccine pasta. The sauce does not necessarily need to be creamy. Jun 14, 2024.