Meet the chicken pasta recipe of your dreams! Creamy Chicken Alfredo with sun dried tomato, spinach and bacon, you’ll love how the seasoned shredded chicken acts like a mop for the alfredo sauce. A quick 20 minute dinner!
Chicken Pasta recipe – loaded!
This is the pasta you make when you’ve had a bad day and you need a pick me up.
This is the pasta you make when you’ve had a great day, and want to finish on a high note.
This is the pasta you make when you need a quick dinner that everyone will devour.
And this is the pasta that you make just because there are few things in this world that can rival the feeling of complete and utter satisfaction as you slurp down a big bowl of creamy chicken pasta!
What you need
Here’s what you need. Just a quick note on a few of the items:
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Wine – the secret ingredient! Wine gives the sauce that extra little something-something that gives the creamy Alfredo Sauce a restauaranty edge. If we’re going to make a luxe creamy pasta, let’s do it right! Non alcoholic sub – more chicken broth.
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Parmesan – make sure it’s either freshly grated OR use the store bought finely shredded parmesan that looks like small thin batons. Do not use the store bought sand-like parmesan, it doesn’t melt properly in the sauce.
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Sun Dried Tomato – you can skip this if you want, but it does give this pasta recipe an extra little za-za-zoom! I use the healthy no-oil strips, but you can absolutely use the type sold in jars in oil.
You’ll love how the seasoned shredded chicken acts like a mop for the creamy alfredo sauce!
Shredding the chicken is not something I’ve done for pastas I’ve previously shared. It works really well for this chicken pasta because the creamy sauce kind of clings to the chicken, making the overall eating experience even juicier and more slurp-worthy (if that were possible! 😂).
Quick 20 minute chicken dinner
This is terrifically quick and easy to make with a nice flow to it. Cook the chicken while the pasta cooking water comes to the boil. Then make the sauce while the pasta is cooking.
You’ll have dinner on the table in 20 minutes, and plates mopped clean minutes thereafter. How good is that??! ~ Nagi x
PS If you’re worried that this is a bit more indulgent that your usual midweek pasta, don’t let that stop you. It’s totally worth it – and you can eat air for dinner tomorrow 😉
More creamy pasta recipes
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Fettuccine Alfredo – classic fettuccine with Alfredo sauce
Watch how to make it
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Chicken Pasta recipe of your dreams!
Ingredients
- 300g / 10 oz fettuccine (Note 1)
- 30g / 2 tbsp butter , separated
- 2 chicken breasts , cut in half horizontally
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine (sub more chicken broth)
- 1/2 cup (125ml) chicken stock / broth , low sodium
- 1 1/4 cups (315ml) cream , thickened / heavy (Note 2)
- 3/4 cup (75g) parmesan , finely shredded (Note 3)
- 70g / 2.5oz baby spinach
- 100 g / 3oz sun dried tomato strips (Note 4)
Serving:
- 120g / 4oz bacon , cooked and crumbled
- More parmesan
- Parsley , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for time per packet minus 1 1/2 minutes.
- Just before draining, scoop out a mugful of pasta cooking water. Then drain pasta.
Chicken:
- Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
- Melt half the butter in a large skillet over hig heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes on each side until deep golden.
- Remove chicken onto plate, rest for a few minutes then shred with 2 forks.
Alfredo Sauce:
- Turn down heat to medium high. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and garlic.
- Cook garlic for 30 seconds until golden, then add wine.
- Simmer rapidly, stirring to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Once mostly evaporated, add chicken broth, cream, parmesan and sun dried tomato.
- Simmer on medium for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring leisurely, until it reduces and thickens.
Essential Tossing:
- Add spinach, chicken and cooked pasta.
- Toss for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes on the stove, until sauce thickens and coats the pasta strands (see VIDEO). Use pasta cooking water if needed if it gets too thick.
- Serve immediately with parmesan, crumbled bacon and parsley (if desired).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Another weekend of fun at Rick Stein’s Bannisters in Port Stephens! The RecipeTin Family took our mother up for a belated Mother’s Day weekend away. This photo was taken from outside her room – top floor, stunning views, huge sunny terrace and an extra large room.
In fact, everyone stayed up in the “good” rooms while I was relegated to the a ground floor room for easy pooping access to the lawn for Dozer. 😩
Susan says
Oh my gosh! This Chicken Pasta recipe is so easy and so absolutely delicious! I can’t imagine ANYONE opening up a jar from the grocery store and expecting anything close to this! It just won’t happen! Next up your incredible looking Beef Stew recipe, Nagi! The beef is thawing…Thank-you!!!
Julie says
Fabulous!!!
Louise says
This definitely was the pasta of my dreams but I never thought I would be able to make it myself. The sauce was so rich and a perfectly balanced flavour from just a few ingredients. As I type, I have the leftovers heating up. This was like a pasta dish from a nice restaurant. Thanks for ANOTHER great recipe!
Bec says
Yum yum yum! This is so good thanks nagi!
Val says
Wonderful taste, delicious and fast! I’ve made this several times and it’s great every time! Thanks, Nagi for a fantastic dish!
Tanya says
Could I substitute chicken for sausage?
Nagi says
Sure can Tanya! N x
Lisa says
This was a fav with my family. Very easy very yum. Thx Nagi
Renee says
Amazing recipe! It’s my second time making this. Can I just use full white wine only and no chicken broth? I mean substituting the chicken broth with just white wine. Thanks Nagi X
Tammy Dodd says
I made this last night..OMG !!it was absolutely delicious will definitely make again.
Having the leftovers for lunch today warmed up then parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs under the grill.
Nagi your recipe website is the best and I’m constantly looking for new recipe to make
Love and hugs to you and Dozer xx
Vicki Bailey says
This really was delicious and very easy – I didn’t have spinach so added some small broccoli pieces instead was everything it was cracked up to be will try it with prawns next time. Thanks
Chelle Morris says
I’ve just made this for myself and my 12 year old son. Absolutely delicious and clean plates all round ( even the green stuff).
Kristy says
Hello just wondering instead of using Parmesan cheese in the sauce which cheese would still work?
Hj says
I used mature cheddar which is all I had and it was delicious!
Les Courcha says
HI I love your recipes I made this one using coconut cream instead of cream as my wife can’t have dairy. and it tasted out of this world. I also added mushrooms and a bit of chilli she said it was better than anything she had tasted in a restaurant. Thanks again.
Christine Cheshire says
This was delicious and very easy! I have to say that I have never “shredded” chicken before but it seemed to work ok. Can’t wait to enjoy the leftovers too! Thanks for a great recipe, Nagi! I bet Dozer gives it 5 woofs too.
Pam from Melbourne says
Just loved this recipe.
naj says
That was the longest 20 minutes of my life, definitely not a quick dinner
Josh says
I suggest then you order take away if 20 min was too long
Nagi says
Hi Naj – I consider 20 minutes a fairly quick time to make a meal – I’m sure this one was worth the wait for you though 😉 N x
najwa NOUREDDINE says
Yes it was amazing but it took me like an hour with prep, thank u for the recipe though
Diane says
This was superb! The sauce is fantastic. I’ve made this several times. Tonight I made it with shrimp instead of chicken and added some portobello mushrooms. Just delicious any which way you make it. Thanks for ANOTHER wonderful recipe that makes me look like an awesome chef. So much appreciated.
Mary Tognazzini says
FIVE STARS SAY’S IT ALL.
Heidi says
So delicious!! I’ll definitely be making this again!
Mary says
Another winner! And now a favourite. Thanks much!