Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Recipe – A Creamy & Delicious Copycat!

Craving a creamy, rich, and delicious chicken alfredo like the one from Olive Garden? Well, you’re in the right place! This recipe is a perfect copycat that brings all the indulgent flavors right to your home. 🍝🍗

Whether you’re planning a family dinner, hosting a gathering, or just want to enjoy a comforting meal, this homemade Chicken Alfredo is easy to make and sure to satisfy your taste buds. Let’s dive into this creamy masterpiece that rivals the famous restaurant dish! 😋

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Rich & Creamy Alfredo Sauce – The sauce is smooth, velvety, and full of flavor!

✅ Tender Chicken – Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts paired with pasta.

✅ Simple Ingredients – No need for fancy, hard-to-find ingredients; just pantry staples!

✅ Quick & Easy – This dish is a breeze to whip up, making it ideal for busy nights.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Olive Garden-inspired Chicken Alfredo:

🍝 For the Pasta:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta (or your favorite pasta type)

🍗 For the Chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless, and seasoned to perfection
• 1 tablespoon olive oil – For searing the chicken
• ½ teaspoon salt – To season the chicken
• ½ teaspoon black pepper – For extra flavor
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder – Adds a savory depth

🧈 For the Alfredo Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter – Adds richness to the sauce
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour – To thicken the sauce
• 2 cups heavy cream – The base for a smooth, creamy sauce
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese – The key to that cheesy goodness 🧀
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder – For that essential garlic flavor
• ½ teaspoon salt – Adjust to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper – To balance the flavors
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – For a hint of herbs

💡 Substitutions & Variations: ✔️ Use whole wheat pasta for a healthier alternative. ✔️ Swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs for extra juiciness. ✔️ For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. ✔️ Add some spinach or mushrooms to make the dish even more flavorful.

Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1️⃣ Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the fettuccine according to the package directions. 2️⃣ Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of pasta water to help adjust the sauce later if needed.

💡 Pro Tip: Cooking the pasta al dente will ensure it holds up well when mixed with the creamy sauce.

🍗 Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1️⃣ Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. 2️⃣ Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 3️⃣ Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). 4️⃣ Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest for 5 minutes. Then, slice it thinly into strips.

💡 Pro Tip: Letting the chicken rest before slicing helps keep it juicy and tender.

🧈 Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce

1️⃣ In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. 2️⃣ Once the butter is melted, add 1 tablespoon of flour and whisk it constantly to form a roux (a thickening paste). 3️⃣ Slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. 4️⃣ Bring the mixture to a simmer, cooking for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. 5️⃣ Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

💡 Pro Tip: If the sauce gets too thick, add a little pasta water to loosen it up and make it more saucy.

🍝 Step 4: Combine Pasta & Sauce

1️⃣ Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and toss until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. 2️⃣ If the sauce needs thinning, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of milk to the sauce!

🍗 Step 5: Assemble the Dish

1️⃣ Add the sliced chicken on top of the creamy pasta. 2️⃣ Toss everything gently to combine, ensuring the chicken and pasta are evenly distributed.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra flavor, sprinkle some fresh parsley or basil on top of the dish.

🍽️ Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!

Plate the creamy chicken alfredo and garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese. You can also serve it with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

💡 Pro Tip: Pair this dish with a crisp white wine like Chardonnay for an added touch of luxury!

Serving Suggestions

This homemade Chicken Alfredo is delicious on its own, but here are some fun ideas to enhance your meal:

🍗 With Garlic Bread – The buttery, garlicky goodness of freshly baked garlic bread pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.

🥗 Serve with a Salad – A light, refreshing salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a perfect contrast to the rich Alfredo sauce.

🍅 Roasted Vegetables – Roasted broccoli, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes can add a burst of flavor and color to your plate.

🍷 Pair with Wine – A nice glass of white wine like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay can complement the rich flavors of the alfredo sauce.

Storage & Reheating

📦 Storing Leftovers:

• Store leftover Chicken Alfredo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To keep the chicken tender, make sure it’s fully covered with sauce to prevent it from drying out.

🔥 Reheating Instructions:

• Stovetop: Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, and add a splash of milk or cream if the sauce has thickened.
• Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

💡 Pro Tip: For the best reheating results, add a bit of pasta water or cream to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1️⃣ Can I Use Different Pasta for Chicken Alfredo?

Absolutely! While fettuccine is traditional, you can swap it for other pasta like penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti.

2️⃣ Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can cook the chicken, pasta, and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, just reheat and combine.

3️⃣ How Do I Keep the Sauce From Separating?

To avoid the sauce separating, make sure to cook the sauce over medium heat and stir constantly. Adding a little pasta water also helps the sauce stay smooth.

4️⃣ Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?

Yes, but it’s best to thaw the chicken first before cooking. Frozen chicken can release too much water, making it harder to get a nice sear.

5️⃣ Is There a Way to Make Chicken Alfredo Lighter?

Yes, you can substitute the heavy cream for half-and-half or use a combination of milk and Greek yogurt for a lighter, healthier version of the sauce.

Conclusion – A Comforting Classic!

This Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 🍝 Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner at home or preparing a family feast, this dish will deliver creamy, cheesy, and tender chicken goodness in every bite.

With simple ingredients, easy steps, and a rich flavor that’s sure to impress, you can enjoy this restaurant-quality dish without leaving your kitchen. Try it out today and let me know what you think!