Description:
Juicy grilled chicken breast tossed with al dente pasta in a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce. This high-calorie, Italian-inspired comfort dish is perfect for healthy weight gain and a satisfying meal.
🕒 Total Time: 25 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 2
🔥 Calories per serving: ~700 kcal
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 200g (7 oz) fettuccine or linguine
- Salt, for pasta water
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 250g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
2. Cook the Chicken:
- While the pasta is cooking, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Grill chicken for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and golden brown.
- Remove from the skillet, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
3. Make the Alfredo Sauce:
- In the same skillet, lower heat to medium and melt the butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly (about 2–3 minutes).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
4. Combine and Serve:
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Top with sliced grilled chicken.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately while hot.
💡 Tips:
- For even more calories, drizzle olive oil or add more Parmesan before serving.
- Substitute grilled chicken with pan-seared shrimp or sautéed mushrooms for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days