Description
This Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a rich, creamy, and comforting meal made with tender chicken breasts, fettuccine pasta, and a luscious plant-based cheese sauce. Perfectly balanced with aromatic garlic and shallots, a vegetable broth base, and plant-based heavy cream, this quick and easy dish is ready in under 30 minutes. Ideal for busy weeknights, it’s family friendly and easily customizable with your favorite veggies or protein swaps.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- Salted water for boiling
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup plant-based heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (shredded or sliced)
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
Garnish and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Black pepper, freshly cracked, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about half a cup of pasta water, then set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, with no pink inside. Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add chopped garlic and shallots. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes, to build the flavor base.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in vegetable broth, plant-based heavy cream, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly reduce.
- Add Plant-Based Cheese: Stir in plant-based cheese until fully melted into the sauce, creating a creamy and smooth texture. Adjust the thickness of the sauce as needed by adding reserved pasta water gradually.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken into strips. Add the chicken and cooked pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to evenly coat the pasta and chicken with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and cracked black pepper over the dish before serving. This adds a fresh herbal note and brightens the presentation.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth sauce.
- Do not overcook the pasta to maintain a perfect firm texture that complements the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting the flavor.
- Sear chicken well to develop a golden crust that enhances flavor and texture.
- Toss pasta gently with the sauce to keep noodles intact and evenly coated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Chicken Alfredo, Plant-Based Cheese, Creamy Pasta, Plant-Based Heavy Cream, Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce, Quick Dinner, Family-Friendly
