This chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo features tender chicken, crispy bacon, and perfectly steamed broccoli, all coated in a rich alfredo sauce.
This chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo is a savory family favorite that I love making for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The combination of tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy pasta is absolutely delicious!
If you love this recipe, you should also try my marinara pasta. For a comforting meal that's perfect for a family gathering, try this mushroom lasagna. And if you're in the mood for a classic Italian dish, you can't go wrong with my spaghetti and meatballs.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- How to Make Chicken And Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
- Tips for Making the Best Chicken And Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftovers
- Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe Card
- Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo (Quick and Easy!)
- Comments
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is a cinch to prepare. With pre-cooked chicken and some time-saving tips, you can have this meal ready in under 30 minutes.
- Classic Flavors: The combination of chicken, broccoli, bacon, and creamy alfredo sauce is a timeless favorite that never disappoints.
- Family Favorite: This dish is a hit with both kids and adults alike. It's the perfect comfort food for a family meal.
- Comfort Food: There's something incredibly comforting about a plate of creamy pasta, especially when it's packed with tender chicken and fresh broccoli.
- Kid-Friendly: If you have picky eaters at home, this recipe is a great way to get them to eat their veggies. The broccoli blends in perfectly with the creamy pasta and is irresistible.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Bacon: This will add a deliciously smoky flavor and a satisfying crunch to our dish.
- Broccoli Florets: These will provide a pop of color, a healthy crunch, and a fresh flavor that compliments the creamy pasta and hearty chicken.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: We'll use Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Breast to save time and make this dish even easier. Otherwise, go for homemade grilled chicken breasts.
- Pasta: We'll use fettuccine pasta, a classic choice for creamy pasta dishes. It will hold the creamy alfredo sauce beautifully and provide the perfect 'bite' alongside the tender chicken and broccoli.
- Parmesan Cheese: This will add a rich, salty flavor and a creamy texture to our dish. It will melt beautifully into the alfredo sauce, binding all the flavors together.
How to Make Chicken And Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
Making this incredible chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
Fry the Bacon: The first step is to fry the bacon until it's nice and crispy (see how to fry broil bacon in the oven). Once done, set the bacon aside to cool and save the bacon grease. We'll use this later to add a delicious, smoky flavor to the dish.
Add the Alfredo Sauce and Broccoli: Next, add a jar of storebought or homemade Alfredo sauce to the skillet. Then, add in your broccoli florets. Stir the mixture for a few minutes or until the alfredo sauce coats the pasta, chicken, bacon, and broccoli evenly.
Cook the Chicken: Next, cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Add 2 tablespoons of the saved bacon grease to a pan and fry the chicken until it's a beautiful golden brown, stirring it every minute.
Add and Fry the Bacon: Slice the bacon into small pieces and add it to the chicken. Fry the mixture for an additional 2 minutes, then set it aside.
Cook the Pasta: Now, cook your favorite pasta in a large pot according to the package instructions. I like to break my pasta into three pieces, but you can break it however you like. Once it's done, drain and rinse the pasta.
Combine and Heat the Ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons of bacon grease to a large nonstick skillet. Put the fried chicken and bacon into the skillet, then add the cooked pasta. Heat this mixture on medium to low heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.
Add Parmesan: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of parmesan cheese over the pasta and set it aside. Let the cheese heat over the dish for 5 minutes. This won't melt like mozzarella cheese, but it will add a beautiful shine to the dish.
Serve: Serve immediately, this dish is best when it's hot! A salad on the side goes great with this dish and it adds a nice color contrast. Enjoy!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken And Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
- Choose Quality Ingredients: For this chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo recipe, always opt for fresh broccoli florets and high-quality, boneless skinless chicken breasts. The quality of your ingredients will significantly impact the flavor of your dish.
- Properly Cook the Broccoli: Steam or blanch your broccoli florets before adding them to the dish. This will ensure that they are tender-crisp and vibrant green.
- Balance the Alfredo Sauce: If you find the Alfredo sauce too heavy, you can lighten it up by adding a splash of chicken broth. On the other hand, if you prefer a richer sauce, you can stir in some extra parmesan cheese.
- Save Time with Leftover Chicken: If you have leftover chicken on hand, this recipe is a great way to use it. Simply skip the step of frying the chicken and bacon, and add your leftover chicken to the pan when you would normally add the grilled chicken.
- Stir Pasta Constantly: When adding the pasta to the pan with the chicken and bacon, stir constantly. This will help the pasta absorb the flavors of the other ingredients and the alfredo sauce, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
Serving Suggestions
- This hearty chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo pairs perfectly with a crisp, green salad. The refreshing crunch of the fresh vegetables is a perfect complement to the rich, creamy pasta dish.
- For a more substantial meal, serve this broccoli chicken alfredo recipe with a side of garlic bread. The bread is perfect for mopping up the delicious alfredo sauce, and its garlicky flavor enhances the overall dining.
- Looking for a light and refreshing option? Pair this broccoli chicken fettuccine alfredo with a fruit salad. The sweetness of the fruit is a nice contrast to the savory flavors of the dish, making it a refreshing choice for a summer dinner.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Spicy: If you enjoy a bit of heat, this variation is for you. Simply add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the pan when you sauté the chicken and bacon.
- Herbs: For a fresh and herby twist, try adding a tablespoon of freshly chopped basil and oregano to the pan along with the chicken and bacon.
- Garlicky: Double the amount of minced garlic in the recipe and sauté it with the chicken and bacon. The extra garlic will give the dish a rich, aromatic flavor that compliments the other ingredients perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can substitute homemade Alfredo sauce for the jarred variety. Just make sure your homemade sauce is well-seasoned and creamy for the best results.
Yes, you can. While this recipe specifically calls for broccoli, you can easily substitute other vegetables such as peas, asparagus, or spinach. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly for your chosen vegetable.
Of course! While this recipe calls for fettuccine, you can use your favorite pasta or whatever you have on hand. Penne, spaghetti, or even rigatoni would work well in this dish.
If you want to make the dish less creamy, simply use less alfredo sauce. On the other hand, if you prefer a more creamy dish, you can add more Alfredo sauce or a splash of heavy cream.
How to Store Leftovers
- Storing: After enjoying this delicious chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo recipe, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Unfortunately, this recipe does not lend itself well to freezing due to the creamy nature of the Alfredo sauce. When frozen and thawed, the sauce can separate and become grainy.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo gently in a pan over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent the sauce from separating. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of milk to thin it out.
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See all pasta recipes.
Recipe Card
Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo (Quick and Easy!)
Ingredients
- 8 oz. bacon (see how to fry broil bacon in the oven)
- 1 bunch broccoli
- 22 oz. grilled chicken bread
- 1 lb. fettuccine pasta
- 1 tbsp. salt
- 1 ½ - cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 jar Alfredo sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Fry bacon. Set aside to cool. Save the bacon grease.
- Cut chicken strips into smaller pieces. Add 2 tbsp. of bacon grease and fry the chicken to a golden brown color, stirring it every minute.
- Slice bacon into small pieces, add to chicken and fry for 2 more minutes. Set aside.
- I like to break my pasta in three, so it’s easier to serve and little hands to handle (but you may break it to your hearts content). Cook pasta according to the package directions for 12 minutes (I like my pasta a little more tender so I boil it for 15 minutes). Drain and rinse your pasta. Add 2 tbsp. of bacon grease to a large skillet. Put fried chicken and bacon in it, and then add cooked pasta.
- Heat pasta and chicken/bacon on med/low heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add a jar of Creamy Alfredo Sauce.
- Then add Steamed Broccoli, stir for a few minutes or until the alfredo sauce coats the pasta, chicken, bacon and broccoli well. Let the pasta heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Turn the heat off. Toss 1 ½ cup of parmesan cheese over pasta and set aside. Let the cheese heat over the dish for 5 minutes (it will not melt like mozzarella cheese, but it will add a little shine).
- Serve immediately. It’s best when it’s hot.
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This recipe was originally posted on November 2, 2016 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Fettucini alfredo is one of my favorite pasta dishes, Valya! I love that you added broccoli into this, sounds wonderful! Gorgeous pictures, too!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you Gayle! It is my favorite too. 🙂
Natasha says
I know you said dinner but I think I'll make it for lunch right now. looks very delicious. With some homemade bread and spread it with garlic butter. Thanks 🙂
valya'stasteofhome.com says
You're welcome Natasha! 🙂
mira says
I love pasta and this one looks amazing Valya! Great step by step pictures and super easy!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm a pasta girl too! Thank you Mira! 🙂
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
I love the addition of bacon and broccoli to chicken alfredo - sounds great!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
It gives a little extra flavor. Thank you Stacey! 🙂
spicedblog says
These looks like my definition of a simple, delicious comfort food dinner! I love all of those ingredients...thank you for sharing!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
It is our family one of the favorite dish to have for dinner. Thanks David!