Ina Garten Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Ina Garten’s Heavenly Chicken Alfredo Recipe Made Simple

Ina Garten Chicken Alfredo transforms ordinary ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience that promises pure comfort.

Elegant yet simple, this classic Italian-inspired dish represents sophisticated home cooking at its finest.

Creamy sauces have long captivated food lovers seeking rich, indulgent flavors that feel both familiar and special.

Perfectly seasoned chicken mingles with silky, smooth cream-based sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Authentic Italian techniques merge with American home cooking sensibilities to produce a meal that feels simultaneously gourmet and approachable.

Her signature recipe elevates basic ingredients through precise techniques and carefully balanced seasonings.

Confident home cooks can recreate this restaurant-quality meal with just a few strategic steps: make this dinner your new weeknight favorite.

What Makes Ina Garten Chicken Alfredo Special

What Makes Ina Garten Chicken Alfredo Special
  • Effortless Gourmet Delight: Elevate your weeknight dinner with this restaurant-quality chicken Alfredo that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Quick Comfort Meal: Prepare a creamy, satisfying dish in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Flexible Flavor Profile: Customize the recipe by adjusting seasonings, adding vegetables, or experimenting with different cheese options to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this streamlined recipe that uses the same skillet for cooking chicken and creating the luxurious Alfredo sauce, saving time and reducing dish washing.

What Goes in Ina Garten Chicken Alfredo

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides substance and texture to the dish, boneless and skinless preferred for easy preparation.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Rich, salty cheese that adds depth and creaminess to the Alfredo sauce, freshly grated recommended for best flavor.
Pasta and Starch:
  • Fettuccine: Classic wide pasta that perfectly holds creamy sauce, choose high-quality Italian-style for authentic taste.
Sauce Components:
  • Butter, Heavy Cream: Essential for creating rich, smooth Alfredo sauce, use full-fat dairy for luxurious texture.
  • Garlic, Garlic Powder: Aromatic ingredients that provide deep, savory flavor to the sauce, fresh garlic gives more intense taste.
Seasonings:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall flavor profile, freshly ground pepper recommended.
  • Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds complexity and traditional Italian taste to chicken and sauce.
Finishing Touches:
  • Olive Oil: Used for cooking chicken, provides subtle flavor and prevents sticking.
  • Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish that adds color and fresh herbal note to the dish.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Alfredo by Ina

How to Make Creamy Chicken Alfredo by Ina

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Grab a large pot and fill with water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Bring water to a rolling boil. Drop fettuccine into the water and cook until perfectly tender, about 10 minutes. Scoop out 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set noodles aside.

Step 2: Season And Cook Chicken

Gather chicken seasonings:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Italian seasoning

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot pan. Cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side. Add a dollop of butter between chicken pieces. Continue cooking until internal temperature hits 165°F. Let chicken rest for 3 minutes, then slice into beautiful strips.

Step 3: Create Luxurious Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and cream together. Stir in:
  • Minced garlic
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Simmer sauce gently, whisking continuously until it thickens. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. If sauce seems too thick, splash in reserved pasta water.

Step 4: Combine And Serve

Swirl pasta through the creamy sauce until every strand is coated. Transfer to serving bowls. Crown each dish with sliced chicken. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a crack of black pepper.

Chicken Alfredo Tips from Ina Garten

Chicken Alfredo Tips from Ina Garten
  • Cheese Quality Matters: Select authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy and grate it fresh for maximum flavor complexity and smoother sauce texture.
  • Pasta Perfection Technique: Watch pasta closely during cooking and remove from boiling water just before it reaches complete tenderness to prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
  • Chicken Seasoning Secret: Create a flavorful spice blend by combining dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper for deep, layered taste profiles.
  • Cream Selection Strategy: Choose full-fat heavy whipping cream with at least 36% butterfat to guarantee a luxuriously thick and silky Alfredo sauce that coats pasta beautifully.
  • Garlic Balance Trick: Start with minimal garlic powder and taste incrementally, understanding that subtle aromatics enhance rather than dominate the delicate sauce's refined flavor.

How to Store Ina Garten Chicken Alfredo

  • Freezer: Seal leftovers in heavy-duty freezer bags, pressing out all air to prevent freezer burn. Label each bag with the date and contents. Properly stored, your Chicken Alfredo maintains its creamy texture and flavor for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze for busy weeknights.
  • Refrigerator: Transfer remaining pasta to an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and food safety, ensuring each bite remains as delicious as the first serving.
  • Reheating: Restore the dish's original creamy consistency by adding a splash of milk or cream when warming. Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sauce separation.

Fun Variations on Chicken Alfredo by Ina

  • Veggie Fusion Alfredo: Swap chicken with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for a vibrant vegetarian version. Sauté vegetables in olive oil until tender and caramelized before mixing with the creamy sauce.
  • Seafood Coastal Remix: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp or scallops seasoned with Old Bay seasoning. Cook seafood quickly to prevent overcooking, then fold into the rich Alfredo sauce for a maritime-inspired meal.
  • Spicy Southwest Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños, chili powder, and cumin into the Alfredo sauce. Top with grilled chicken rubbed with smoky chipotle seasoning to add a bold, zesty flavor profile that transforms the classic recipe.
  • Mushroom Truffle Dream: Enhance the sauce with sautéed wild mushrooms like porcini or shiitake. Drizzle a few drops of truffle oil before serving to create an earthy, luxurious version of the traditional Alfredo pasta.

Wrapping Up Ina Garten Chicken Alfredo

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients merge into extraordinary comfort.

Ina Garten’s chicken Alfredo recipe transforms weeknight dinners into gourmet experiences.

Creamy Parmesan sauce hugs tender pasta while perfectly seasoned chicken adds luxurious protein.

Mediterranean flavors dance through each forkful, creating harmonious balance between richness and delicate herbs.

Homemade Alfredo elevates ordinary meals into memorable dining moments.

Passionate cooks, scroll down and share this delectable recipe with friends who appreciate authentic, restaurant-quality dishes – you’ll spark kitchen inspiration and culinary joy.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

Smothered Pork Chops Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Southern comfort meets pure indulgence with these Smothered Pork Chops. Golden-seared meat nestles under a rich, creamy onion gravy that promises hearty satisfaction in every savory bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 bone-in pork chops

Soup and Broth:

  • 1 can (14 ounces / 414 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (1½ ounces / 42 grams) low-sodium cream of chicken soup

Seasoning and Thickening Ingredients:

  • 1 ounce (28 grams) packet dry pork gravy mix
  • 1 ounce (28 grams) packet onion soup mix
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Freshly chopped parsley (to taste, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare a 5-6 quart (4.7-5.7 liters) slow cooker and whisk together one packet of onion soup mix, 1½ cups (360 milliliters) of chicken broth, one 10.5-ounce (298 grams) can of cream of chicken soup, and one packet of dry pork gravy mix until the mixture becomes completely smooth and well-integrated.
  2. Generously season both sides of the pork chops with garlic powder, ensuring an even and robust flavor distribution across the meat.
  3. Carefully position the seasoned pork chops in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker, then gently pour the prepared gravy mixture over the meat to guarantee complete and uniform coverage.
  4. Securely place the lid on the slow cooker and set the temperature to low heat, allowing the pork chops to cook slowly and become incredibly tender over 4-6 hours.
  5. Create a thickening slurry by combining of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water in a separate small bowl, whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
  6. Gently stir the cornstarch slurry into the cooking liquid, ensuring even distribution throughout the gravy.
  7. Cover the slow cooker again and switch the temperature to high heat, allowing the gravy to thicken and develop a rich, velvety consistency for an additional 30 minutes.
  8. Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker and transfer the pork chops to a serving platter, drizzling the luxurious gravy over the top and garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness.

Notes

  • Slow cooking transforms tough pork chops into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat with minimal kitchen effort.
  • Onion soup mix and cream of chicken soup create a deeply savory, rich gravy that elevates basic protein.
  • Cornstarch slurry acts as a secret weapon to thicken sauce without lumps, ensuring silky smooth consistency.
  • Garlic powder seasoning adds depth and complexity to the meat, making every bite more flavorful.
  • Low and slow cooking method guarantees juicy, fall-apart pork chops that practically melt on your tongue.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star