Easy Chicken Alfredo: Jar Sauce Shortcut to Deliciousness
Who doesn’t love a delicious and easy-to-prepare weeknight meal, especially one as iconic and comforting as Chicken Alfredo? The creamy sauce, tender grilled chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a dish that’s appealing to all ages and becomes a staple in many households. In this recipe, we’ll reveal our jar sauce shortcut to make this classic dish even more accessible to the busy home chef. Plus, we’ll share some interesting background and curiosities surrounding Chicken Alfredo that will make you feel like an expert at your next dinner party. Read on to learn the easy steps to a delicious Chicken Alfredo dinner!
Ingredients
To make our Easy Chicken Alfredo, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- About 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 16 ounces of your favorite jarred Alfredo sauce (choose one with quality ingredients and flavors that you love)
- 12 ounces of pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or any other long pasta will do)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
The preparation of this delicious Chicken Alfredo starts by following these easy steps:
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and then preparing the pasta according to the package instructions. This ensures that the pasta is cooked just right and not overdone.
- While the pasta is boiling, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Then, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook them evenly on both sides until they are cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on their thickness.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before thinly slicing it.
- Now comes our secret ingredient: the jarred Alfredo sauce. In the same skillet that you cooked the chicken, gently heat the sauce over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t stick to the pan. Once warmed, add the sliced chicken back to the skillet, mixing well with the sauce.
- Finally, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly with the chicken and Alfredo sauce, making sure that every strand of pasta is coated with the creamy goodness. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
History and Curiosities
The history of Chicken Alfredo features a classic tale of Italian-American cuisine, intertwining cultures, and culinary creativity. The humble beginnings of this iconic dish can be traced back to Rome in the early 1900s. Chef Alfredo Di Lelio created Fettuccine Alfredo, which was simply tossed with butter and parmesan cheese, to satisfy his pregnant wife’s cravings. News of this creation traveled far and wide, quickly gaining popularity among both locals and tourists.
However, the original Fettuccine Alfredo did not contain chicken. The addition of grilled chicken became popular when the dish crossed the pond to America. It was in the US that Chicken Alfredo became a staple of casual Italian-American restaurants. The jarred sauce shortcut we use today is a nod to the evolving history of this dish, making it a convenient and still-delicious option for busy families across the globe.
In Rome, you can still visit Alfredo alla Scrofa, the restaurant where “Alfredo the Great” first served his beloved pasta dish. Whether you make it at home with our easy Chicken Alfredo recipe or travel to Rome to taste the original, you’ll be part of a rich culinary tradition that brings people together over a plate of creamy, comforting pasta. Enjoy!
