Description
A creamy and flavorful Chicken Zucchini Alfredo Pasta recipe featuring tender grilled chicken cutlets, sautéed zucchini, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce made with cream cheese, butter, and parmesan. This comforting Italian-inspired dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 chicken cutlets or 1 pound chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 pound fettuccini or other long-cut pasta
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter
- 2 zucchini or yellow summer squash, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Chili flakes, to taste
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups whole milk or heavy cream (or 1 cup each)
- 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken cutlets or tenders with Italian seasoning, olive oil, and season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium heat. Grill or sear the chicken on both sides for about 10 minutes until fully cooked through and nicely browned.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccini and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta well.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add sliced zucchini, chopped garlic, dried oregano, and chili flakes. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until the mixture is fragrant and the zucchini is slightly tender. Lower the heat and add the cream cheese, stirring until melted and combined.
- Finish the Sauce: Whisk in the whole milk or cream and grated parmesan cheese. Season with black pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the drained pasta into the Alfredo sauce, mixing well to coat the noodles evenly. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to the desired consistency.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in the chopped fresh basil or parsley to add bright flavor and freshness.
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and place over bowls of the creamy zucchini Alfredo pasta. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast if preferred, just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or reduce the butter slightly.
- Keep some pasta cooking water to adjust sauce thickness if needed.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add a fresh balance to the creamy sauce.
- Use chili flakes sparingly if you prefer less heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken Zucchini Alfredo Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Italian pasta recipe, zucchini pasta, grilled chicken pasta, homemade Alfredo sauce
