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Description
Chicken Alfredo is like a distant American cousin of the Roman fettuccine Alfredo. The original dish was created, in 1908, by Alfredo Di Lelio using only a handful of ingredients: namely rich sweet butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano and pasta water artfully tossed together. Heavy cream, while not traditional and only used in the American iteration, gives the sauce its rich flavor and creamy consistency and requires less tossing. The addition of well-seasoned chicken breasts makes this an American restaurant classic beloved by children and adults alike. The flat wide shape of fettuccine noodles is ideal for the cream sauce to embrace, but you can also use linguine or spaghetti. Be sure to use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (a food processor does the job quickly) to ensure that the cheese is incorporated into the sauce — pre-grated cheese contains additives that don’t allow the cheese to melt properly. For something green, serve with a side of broccoli or a green salad.
Ingredients
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10tablespoons unsalted butter 2large boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 pound total), patted dry Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1pound fettuccine, linguine or spaghetti 1 1/2cups heavy cream 6ounces (about 2 cups) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Fresh nutmeg, for grating (optional) Fresh chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
Directions
Take the butter out of the fridge, cut it into 10 tablespoons and set aside. Season both sides of the chicken breasts well with salt (about 2 1/2 teaspoons total) and pepper. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil for the pasta. In a large pan that can accommodate the pasta later, place the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, reduce heat to medium and add the chicken; cook for 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, swirl it around the pan and continue cooking until the chicken is golden brown, about 3 minutes more. Flip the chicken, add another tablespoon of butter, swirl it around and cook the other side until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Using tongs, lift the thinner end of each chicken breast to press the thicker ends on the pan to fully cook and take on a little color, about 1 minute each. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and rest for 3 minutes. Slice the chicken in 1/2-inch-thick diagonals and loosely tent with aluminum foil. Discard the oil, then wash and dry the pan. Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package directions. While the pasta cooks, add the cream to the pan and warm through over medium heat, about 2 minutes. Watch the cream very closely, reducing the heat if necessary to maintain a low simmer; you do not want it to come to a boil or simmer rapidly and split. Add the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter, stirring occasionally, until melted. If the pasta is not ready when the butter has melted and the cream sauce has slightly thickened, remove the sauce off the heat until ready to use. When the pasta is ready, place the sauce over medium heat and set the pasta pot next to the saucepan. Use tongs or a spider strainer to transfer the pasta to the sauce. Alternatively, you can drain the pasta, if you prefer. Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and quickly toss with the pasta and sauce. If using, grate a little fresh nutmeg onto the pasta, toss, then taste for salt and add as needed. Top with the sliced chicken and serve immediately, topped with parsley, if desired.
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