Creamy Solo Skillet Chicken Alfredo for One
A quick, comforting, and creamy chicken Alfredo recipe made in one skillet, perfect for solo dinners with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 6 oz / 170 g), sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
- ¼ cup chicken broth (60 ml)
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 30 g)
- 2 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta (about 56 g), dried or fresh
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Small handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breast thinly against the grain. Mince garlic and grate Parmesan cheese. Chop parsley if using.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 2 tablespoons of pasta water.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken slices in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring gently. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring to melt completely. If sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet, add drained pasta, and toss gently to coat evenly in sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking chicken to ensure proper browning. Use moderate heat when making the sauce to prevent curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese improves flavor and texture. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with vegan cheese. For vegetarian, substitute chicken with mushrooms or spinach.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (1 serving)
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 40
Keywords: chicken alfredo, solo dinner, creamy pasta, quick recipe, one pan meal, easy dinner, comfort food