Grilled Chicken Alfredo that Beats Olive Garden

This easy grilled chicken Alfredo is one of my favorites. It's so simple to make! Slightly smoky, grilled chicken breasts are sliced and served over tender pasta drenched in a creamy, rich Alfredo sauce. Think of it as Italian chicken and noodles!

Shopping list

It's easier than you think and, if you grill your chicken breasts ahead of time, goes together in minutes. Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, or any other place you can think of can't beat this.

Just the basics here! Fresh basil is nice but not required.

• Grilled boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
• Pasta of choice
• Butter
• Heavy cream
• Cream cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garlic powder
• Basil

Tips

• Don't ever let the sauce boil - it will separate.
• Make this super fast with rotisserie or grilled chicken breast from the store.
• I like to grill a lot of chicken when we're grilling and freeze it for later. It makes this dish go together super fast. 
• Marinating the chicken for this Alfredo gives it more flavor (but it's not required). 30 minutes in zesty Italian dressing works great!
• Alfredo sauce tends to "break" when it's warmed up. Best to make it and eat it right then.
• Add spinach or broccoli if you like.
• Serve with a warm baguette and a salad. Quick, easy perfection!

Kaffeeklatch

Everyone loves the spaghetti scene from Lady and the Tramp. It's sweetly romantic with the lighting and the sharing of pasta. Italian food is romantic but it's also comfort food.

And that's why we love it -- it speaks of love in all of its forms. The textures are addictive -- creamy sauces, crunchy breading, tender pasta. The flavors in Italian food run the gamut from rich ragu sauce and fiery puttenesca to mellow garlic butters and soothing Alfredo. There's something for everyone.

Plus Italian dishes lend themselves to special dinners. The kind where you walk in the house and the lights are dimmed, the kids are at the babysitters, and a bottle of champagne chills in an ice bucket illuminated by flickering candlelight.

Then again, it's just as welcome on a weekend with all the family gathered around the table, laughing and talking as a platter of pasta is passed around and a pitcher of sangria is filled again and again.

As you can probably see I am not a purist when it comes to pasta. I use whatever I have on hand. 🙂

4.54 from 15 votes

Grilled Chicken Alfredo

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Creamy Alfredo sauce is spooned over tender pasta and topped with seasoned grilled chicken. It's an easy, quick meal that everyone will love. This Olive Garden copycat is WAY better than the original!

Course Main Dish - Chicken

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings:6

Calories:918

Author:Marye Audet-White

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Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts, seasoned and grilled
• ▢ 24 ounces pasta
• ▢ ⅓ cup butter
• ▢ 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cream cheese
• ▢ 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ garlic powder
• ▢ ¼ cup basil, or spinach optional

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Instructions

• Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water until a la dente (or done the way you like it).
• Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the pasta water.
• Add the Parmesan to a large bowl.
• Melt the butter in a medium, heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Once the butter is melted turn the heat down to medium low.
• Add the cream and cream cheese.
• Stir constantly until it gets smooth and thickens (just a few minutes).
• The sauce is ready when you can pull the back of a serving spoon through it and it leaves a trail.
• Pour the sauce over the Parmesan, let stand a few minutes, and then stir until smooth.
• Taste and add the salt, pepper, and garlic powder as needed.
• Add the pasta to a serving bowl or platter.
• Pour the reserved pasta water over it and mix in.
• Stir to combine.
• Top with the chicken and chopped basil.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

• Don't ever let the sauce boil - it will separate.
• Make this super fast with rotisserie or grilled chicken breast from the store.
• I like to grill a lot of chicken when we're grilling and freeze it for later. It makes this dish go together super fast. 
• Marinating the chicken for this Alfredo gives it more flavor (but it's not required). 30 minutes in zesty Italian dressing works great!
• Alfredo sauce tends to "break" when it's warmed up. Best to make it and eat it right then.
• Add spinach or broccoli if you like.
• Serve with a warm baguette and a salad. Quick, easy perfection!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 918kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 187mg | Sodium: 656mg | Potassium: 733mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1359IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 365mg | Iron: 2mg

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First published July 2015. Last updated April 4, 2020 to improve readability and images.