Chicken Alfredo with Zucchini (Print Page)

Tender chicken combined with zucchini noodles, garlic, and Parmesan for a creamy, light dinner option.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

→ Vegetables

02 - 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish

→ Dairy

05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Pantry

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Pat chicken breast strips dry and season evenly with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then whisk in Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in Alfredo sauce.
06 - Add spiralized zucchini noodles and toss gently with tongs for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender. Avoid overcooking to maintain slight crispness.
07 - Stir in chopped parsley and season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
08 - Plate immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like restaurant comfort food but won't leave you feeling weighed down afterward.
  • Twenty minutes from pan to plate means you can make something this silky on a busy night.
  • The garlic-forward Alfredo feels fancy enough to impress, simple enough to trust.
02 -
  • Overcooked zucchini noodles turn into mush and release too much water, which dilutes your beautiful sauce—stay vigilant those last few minutes.
  • If your cream-based sauce breaks or becomes grainy, whisk in a splash of cold water or extra cream away from heat and it'll come back together.
03 -
  • Have all your ingredients prepped and within arm's reach before you start cooking; this dish moves fast and you won't have time to mince garlic once the pan is hot.
  • If you're serving this to guests, you can cook the chicken ahead and even make the sauce earlier in the day, then reheat gently and add the fresh zucchini noodles just before serving so they don't get waterlogged.

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