Got a hunger and not a whole lot of time? This quick Alfredo chicken recipe using jarred sauce is the answer to all your prayers for fast, creamy, totally dreamy supper. With all of a couple basic ingredients, such as chicken, jarred Alfredo sauce and pasta, in no time you’ve whipped up a dish that seems as though it’s straight out of some restaurant’s kitchen.
Prepared as much with convenience in mind as taste, hence the reliance on a top braise of Alfredo sauce to deliver that creamy cheesiness in little time possible. Either when planning to have a family night dinner or a special evening for two, this dish is loved by all and can be tailored very easily. Add some of your favorite veggies to the mix, change up the pasta, or shake up the proteins for a guaranteed savory meal every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Chicken Alfredo recipe with jar sauce should be tested out for the following reasons:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Simple Ingredients: Few Ingredients: Nothing fancy, just a jar of Alfredo sauce, pasta & chicken; no need to overthink dinner.
- Customizable: Variety: Add veggies, switch up the protein, or try different pasta shapes for endless iterations.
- Family-Friendly: Kid-and-Parent Approved: What’s not to love about a creamy, cheesy pasta bake? Yep, this one’s gonna be a hit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you have in hand
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Chicken breast (sliced) | 2 large pieces |
Fettuccine; or your pasta of choice | 12 oz |
Jarred Alfredo sauce | (15-16 oz) 1 jar |
Olive oil or butter | 2 tbsp |
Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
Parmesan cheese (optional) | 1/4 cup |
Salt and pepper | To taste |
Parsley; for garnish | Optional |
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: Chicken: I sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they’re easy to cook and always tender. Wanna save even more time? Buy pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
- Pasta: Pasta: Fettuccine is the classic choice, but penne, spaghetti, or linguine will be just as good.
- Alfredo Sauce: Alfredo Sauce: It ’s all about a good-quality jarred Alfredo sauce . Try Bertolli, Classico or Rao’s .
- Extra Flavor: Extra Flavor: Fresh garlic and Parmesan cheese always lend that extra burst of flavor to the sauce.
How to Make Easy Chicken Alfredo
This recipe is so simple, you’ll want to make it again and again. Follow these step-by-step instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to aid in adjusting the sauce’s consistency.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Take the chicken out of the skillet and keep it aside.
3. Sauté Garlic
Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken.
- Saute for 30 seconds, or just until fragrant.
4. Heat the Alfredo Sauce
Pour the Alfredo sauce from the jar into the skillet with garlic.
- Stir well and if necessary, to thin the sauce, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
5. Combine the Ingredients
Slice cooked chicken and place back into skillet with sauce.
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, ensuring it is well coated.
6. Serve and Garnish
Divide the pasta into bowls or plates.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve right away to enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Alfredo
- Season the chicken well: Season your chicken really well — add salt, pepper, and even a touch of Italian seasoning for an all-around boost of flavor.
- Use fresh garlic: Use fresh garlic — minced fine and it imparts that bold, authentic flavor into the sauce.
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Don’t overcook your pasta. It’s always best to have it ‘al dente’ as it will continue cooking just a little bit more once mixed with the sauce.
- Enhance the sauce: Finish the sauce: You can swirl in a tablespoon of butter or cream for further enrichment.
Chicken Alfredo Recipe with Jar Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This quick and easy Chicken Alfredo recipe uses jarred Alfredo sauce for a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients like chicken, pasta, and store-bought Alfredo sauce, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes for a restaurant-quality dinner at home.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta (or pasta of choice)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (for sauce consistency)
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 1 jar (15-16 oz) jarred Alfredo sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta al dente, according to package instructions.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
-
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove and set aside.
-
Sauté the Garlic:
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
-
Heat the Alfredo Sauce:
- Pour jarred Alfredo sauce into the skillet with the garlic.
- Stir well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to thin out the sauce.
-
Combine Everything:
- Slice cooked chicken and return it to the skillet.
- Toss in the cooked pasta, ensuring everything is well coated in sauce.
-
Serve & Garnish:
- Divide into plates, top with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian, Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Calories: 650-700 kcal
- Sugar: 5-8g
- Sodium: 800-1000mg
- Fat: 30-35g
- Carbohydrates: 50-55g
- Protein: 40g
Keywords: Chicken Alfredo Recipe with Jar Sauce
Variations to Try
The recipe is a great base one, very flexible and open to interpretation! Here are some fun ways to take your meal above and beyond the ordinary after following all these steps: Old-style comfort seekers might enjoy Chicken Pot Pie or a big bowl of Chicken Spaghetti, while sugar fanatics will clamor for some Sweet and Sour Chicken. Otherwise, if you’d like a little more departure from the source, here are some further ideas:
Vegetable Alfredo: Add some fresh color to the cream sauce from bright green broccoli, and earthy spinach or gentle flavor to the dish from sautéed mushrooms.
Seafood Alfredo: Change this into a fancy seafood dinner by tackling juicy shrimp or delicate scallops in place of chicken in this truly desirable dish.
Low-Carb Option: You may have zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice instead of the pasta. That way, you’ll get all the flavor without the overload of carbs.
Mentioned are additional ingredients such as red pepper flakes to give the sauce a spicy kick and provoke your taste buds a little with some heat. Remember, that even the simplest additions can lead to an unexpectedly delicious dish. Consider how a Jalbitedrinks Liquor pairing might complement these variations. If chicken is your goal, then a delicious Chicken Tetrazzini can be added to your culinary library.
What to Serve with Chicken Alfredo
Serve a complete meal by pairing these sides with your creamy Chicken Alfredo:
- Garlic Bread: Garlic Bread: Helps in mopping up the extra sauce.
- Caesar Salad: Caesar Salad: A crispy and tart salad sets off well against the creaminess of the pasta.
- Steamed Veggies: Steamed Veggies: Some good choices would include asparagus, green beans, or roasted peppers.
Ingredient | Serving Size | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Fat (g) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fettuccine (pasta) | 1 cup cooked | 200 | 7 | 40 | 1 |
Chicken breast (cooked) | 3 oz | 140 | 26 | 0 | 3 |
Alfredo sauce, prepared | 1/2 cup | 220 | 6 | 6 | 20 |
Parmesan cheese, grated | 1 tbsp | 20 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Butter | 1 tbsp | 100 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Garlic | 1 clove | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Approximate Total Per Serving (1 plate): | Total | | Calories: 685 | Protein: 41g | Carbohydrates: 47g | Fat: 37g |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Can I make chicken Alfredo ahead of time?
Yes, you can. Prepare the sauce and chicken as described, cover and store them separately in the refrigerator, and put onto freshly cooked pasta at serving time.
What’s the best way to reheat chicken Alfredo?
Warm in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat with an occasional splash of milk or cream to keep the sauce from sticking.
Can I use homemade Alfredo sauce?
Sure! If you have time, homemade Alfredo sauce is the way to go. Butter, heavy cream, garlic, fresh Parmesan cheese.
What can I add to jar Alfredo sauce to make it better?
Ways to boost the flavor of jarred Alfredo sauce:
- Freshly minced garlic sautéed in butter
- Heavy cream or milk for the splash
- Parmesan, if you want even more cheesy goodness
- Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or a touch of ground nutmeg for depth
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for that hint of freshness
How do I season my chicken for Chicken Alfredo?
Season your chicken with salt and pepper. When you are in the mood to experiment, shake some garlic powder and some onion powder over the meat. Other choices include Italian seasoning, paprika, or a little chili powder for a subtle kick.
- Massage seasoning into chicken for even coverage before cooking.
How to stretch a jar of Alfredo sauce?
If you need more sauce, how can you stretch a jar of Alfredo sauce? Add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin the sauce. Stir in heavy cream or milk for a creamier texture. Stir in extra Parmesan cheese, it won’t hurt, and an illusion of bulking the dish may just actually strengthen its flavors. How about adding sautéed veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and broccoli to go with the dish for bulking?
Do you season chicken before adding sauce?
Of course, seasoning the chicken before you cook it is the way to go to get some flavor out of it. A good seasoning blend works with the Alfredo sauce so the chicken doesn’t be all that pleasant plain tasting. Once the chicken’s been cooked, just mix it into the sauce for a fully flavored dish.
Creamy, Comforting, and Ready in No Time
Voilà voilà! A couple of your favorite jarred sauce, some chicken, and voilà! A yummy pasta dish that will make your friends and family swoon.
Did you love it? Pop over and share your tips or favorite twists in the comments below. And, of course, don’t forget to bookmark this page for some quick and easy dinnertime inspiration! For more recipes you can enjoy be sure to visit Easy Chicken Alfredo – Allrecipes or Baked Chicken Alfredo with Jar Sauce (Super Easy Recipe!) – Everyday Easy Eats.
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