This Chicken Parmesan Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food mashup!
Crispy breaded chicken is topped with marinara and melty mozzarella, and all served over a bed of creamy fettuccine alfredo. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra parmesan on top bring it all together! It’s hearty, cozy and perfect for a family dinner or when you want to wow your friends without too much effort.
This recipe takes classic chicken parmesan up a notch by pairing it with a rich and creamy sauce. The chicken is perfectly breaded, cooked until golden and then baked with marinara and gooey mozzarella until everything is bubbly and delicious.
The homemade alfredo sauce is smooth and creamy, complementing the al dente fettuccine perfectly. Together, they create a comforting dish that’s simple to make but impressive enough for any occasion. A meal the whole family will love - make it for dinner tonight!
If you are looking for more pasta recipes, check out our: Creamy Pancetta Pasta, White Wine Pasta Sauce, Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce, or Lamb Ragu.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Comforting: With crispy, cheesy chicken, marinara, and creamy alfredo sauce over tender fettuccine, this dish is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, satisfying and perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
- Family Friendly: Combining crowd pleasing flavors like crispy chicken, marinara, and alfredo sauce, this meal is sure to please everyone, from picky eaters to adults craving a hearty dinner.
- Simple: Made with easy steps and everyday ingredients, this recipe delivers a comforting, restaurant-worthy meal without any complicated techniques or hard to find items.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this easy recipe:
- Chicken: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half and pounded thin. You can buy chicken pre-sliced thin, or pound them yourself with a meat mallet.
- Bread crumbs: Use Italian bread crumbs or substitute Panko bread crumbs for extra crunch.
- Parmesan cheese: Grating your own fresh parmesan cheese ensures a smoother sauce and better flavor.
- Eggs
- Salt & black pepper
- Onion powder
- Canola oil: You can use canola oil, olive oil, or avocado oil for frying the chicken.
- Marinara sauce: Choose a high-quality marinara sauce or make your own for added flavor. If you're buying store bought, I love Rao's!
- Mozzarella cheese: For the best melt and flavor, opt for fresh mozzarella instead of pre shredded. Or, use fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Fettuccine pasta: I recommend authentic, bronze cut pasta for best flavor.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter in this recipe.
- Heavy whipping cream: I find heavy whipping cream to give the best taste for alfredo sauce. If needed, you can substitute with half and half or a mixture of cream cheese and chicken broth.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Parsley: Use fresh parsley for a garnish.
Directions
Let's make this creamy pasta together!
For the Chicken Parmesan:
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the chicken breasts in half and pound them thin.
Step 2
Set up two bowls: one with the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, and another with the eggs, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Whisk the egg mixture well. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat both sides with the breadcrumb mixture.
Step 3
Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chicken in batches, cooking for 3-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and the chicken reaches 165°F internally. Once cooked, place the crusted chicken on a plate lined with paper towels to rest.
Step 4
Arrange the chicken in a baking dish. Top each piece with marinara sauce, mozzarella slices, and parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
For the Alfredo Sauce:
Step 1
Cook the fettuccine in a pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions.
Step 2
In a skillet, heat the butter and heavy cream over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
Step 3
Slowly whisk in the parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
Step 4
Plate the fettuccine alfredo and top with the chicken parmesan. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan before serving. Enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this chicken parmesan alfredo recipe:
- Uniform size: Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry the chicken in batches to maintain a crispy coating. Overcrowding can lower the oil temperature and make the breading soggy.
- Don’t overheat: Keep the sauce on medium heat to prevent the cream from scorching or curdling.
- Reserve pasta water: If the alfredo sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water to adjust the consistency.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this easy chicken alfredo recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large skillet: You'll want a high quality large skillet with high sides.
- Baking dish: Use a quality baking dish to bake the chicken parmesan. This baking dish is super high quality.
- Large pot: A quality large pot is important for any home cook! It's a go-to for making soups, pastas, and dishes for a crowd.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this chicken alfredo pasta.
- Chicken: Swap chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier option, or use store bought breaded chicken cutlets to save time. For a lighter option, skip the breading and grill or bake the chicken instead of frying
- Mozzarella: Substitute mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a slightly different flavor.
- Fettuccine: Replace with any pasta you love, like spaghetti, penne or linguine. For a low carb option, use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
- Heavy cream: Substitute with half-and-half or a dairy free cream alternative for a lighter or dairy free version.
- Additions: Toss in sautéed spinach, mushrooms or roasted cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the alfredo sauce or the chicken breading for some heat. Mix Italian seasoning or fresh basil into the breadcrumb coating or garnish with additional herbs like thyme or oregano.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this recipe:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use jarred alfredo sauce as a time saving shortcut! While homemade sauce has a fresher, richer flavor, a high quality store bought option works well. To enhance the flavor, you can stir in a little extra garlic, grated parmesan or a pinch of black pepper while warming it up.
A marinara sauce with a balance of sweetness and acidity works best for this recipe. Look for one made with simple, high quality ingredients like tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and basil. If you prefer a bit of spice, a marinara with red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick. A homemade sauce or a reputable store bought brand will both work great!
Yes, you can definitely add vegetables to the dish! Sautéed spinach, roasted mushrooms or grilled zucchini are great options to complement the creamy alfredo sauce and chicken. You could also add steamed broccoli, roasted bell peppers or a mix of your favorite veggies either in the sauce or as a side for extra flavor and nutrition. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time for the vegetables so they’re tender and flavorful without overpowering the dish!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this pasta dish:
- Refrigerator Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer safe bag for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
- Reheating Instructions: To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, microwave in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Other Recipes to Try
Easy Homemade Chicken Parmesan Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken Parmesan:
- 2 lb Chicken breasts sliced in halves and pounded thin
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 1 lb fettuccine
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
For the Chicken Parmesan:
- Slice chicken breasts in half. Pound each chicken breast thinly with a meat mallet.
- Prepare bowls for the chicken. Combine Italian breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese in a medium bowl and set aside. Combine eggs, salt, black pepper, and onion powder in a bowl. Whisk well.
- Coat both sides of chicken in egg mixture. Dredge both sides of the chicken in bread crumb mixture.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add oil until shimmering. Add chicken slices to the oil, working in batches if necessary, to not overcrowd the pan. Cook 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Let chicken rest on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Place chicken in a lined baking dish and top each piece with marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella slices, and parmesan cheese. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and is golden brown.
For the Fettuccine Alfredo:
- Cook fettuccine in a large pot of salted, boiling water according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, add butter and heavy cream to the skillet. Allow butter to melt and simmer for 5 minutes on medium heat.
- Add minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir gently, then add parmesan cheese and whisk until melted.
- Add fettuccine to the pan and toss until combined.
- Plate fettuccine and top with chicken parmesan. Top with freshly grated parmesan and Italian parsley and serve.
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