By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 27, 2023
I recently learned that authentic Alfredo sauce is made without heavy cream, and it’s changed the way I cook. This simple chicken Alfredo recipe is quick and easy to make, and it’s healthier too (although I still wouldn’t call it a health food)! This Alfredo sauce without heavy cream is so wonderfully rich and creamy that it even fooled Pat who checked the fridge twice to make sure I wasn’t hiding the cream.
What’s in this Alfredo Sauce Recipe without Heavy Cream?
This simple chicken alfredo recipe doesn’t use any cream, yet it is creamy, silky, and rich in flavor. The “cream” is developed by the emulsion of pasta water, butter, and Parmesan cheese – so be sure to remember to reserve that pasta water!
- Chicken: This recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken breasts. You can use sliced or cubed cooked chicken. You can also use cooked chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Salt: Use kosher salt to season the pasta water, adding rich flavor to this dish.
- Pasta: Fettuccine is the best pasta noodle , in my opinion, for Alfredo.
- Pasta Cooking Water: Don’t forget to reserve 2 cups of the water you cooked the pasta in before draining it. This is crucial to creating a creamy sauce.
- Butter: Unsalted butter helps bump up the creaminess of this sauce.
- Cheese: Be sure to use good-quality, freshly shredded Parmesan cheese for the best-tasting sauce.
- Black Pepper: An optional addition that helps elevate this dish. I highly recommend using freshly ground black pepper if you have access to it.
- Parsley: I love garnishing my pasta dishes with parsley for a pop of color.
Variations To Try
You can change up the taste of this chicken Alfredo sauce without cream by swapping out the Parmesan for Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese. You can also swap out the cooked chicken for cooked steak or sausages. For a spicier take on chicken Alfredo, add some crushed red pepper flakes into the cheese sauce.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Alfredo sauce without heavy cream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts until hot or in a skillet set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this simple chicken alfredo recipe with garlic bread or rosemary focaccia and an Italian salad . You could also serve it with a side of roasted veggies ! Of course, this Alfredo sauce without heavy cream can be used in just about any recipe that calls for Alfredo sauce, so let your creativity run wild!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
When I don’t have leftover cooked chicken on hand, I usually sauté diced chicken breasts in a bit of butter and olive oil, then remove them from the pan before adding the pasta water.
5-Star Review
“This recipe was super easy and absolutely delicious! My husband and son couldn’t get enough! I am so impressed with the sauce without the cream…I’m not sure I will ever use cream again…it was that good!” -Brandi
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced
- ▢ Kosher salt to taste
- ▢ 12 ounces dry fettuccini or other long pasta (¾ box)
- ▢ 2 cups reserved pasta cooking water divided
- ▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter cubed (1½ sticks)
- ▢ 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- ▢ Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ Chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves; optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta, stirring often, until al dente. Drain, reserving 2 cups of the pasta cooking water. 12 ounces dry fettuccini, Kosher salt
- Set a large skillet over medium-low heat and add 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Bring just to a low simmer, then whisk in butter, one tablespoon at a time, until melted. 2 cups reserved pasta cooking water, ¾ cup unsalted butter
- Gradually add the cheese, whisking constantly, being sure it is melted and incorporated thoroughly before adding each addition. 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Whisk in the additional 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Add the pasta and mix to coat until the noodles are covered in sauce.
- Taste and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired. Freshly ground black pepper
- Cook over low heat, about 3-5 minutes, just until the pasta absorbs most of the liquid. Stir often to avoid scorching the cheese-covered pasta.
- To serve, place ¼ of the pasta on a plate and add 1 sliced chicken breast. Top with a heaping helping of grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves. 4 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Chopped fresh parsley
Becky’s Tips
- Do not use margarine in place of the butter.
- If using salted butter, do not add any kosher salt.
- The final outcome of this recipe will be determined by the quality of the ingredients, especially the butter and Parmesan cheese. No cream is used, so the “cream” is developed by the emulsion of pasta water, butter, and Parmesan cheese. The final result is fantastic.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Alfredo Sauce without Cream Step by Step
Boil the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta, stirring often, until al dente. Drain, reserving 2 cups of the pasta cooking water.
Melt the Butter: Set a large skillet over medium-low heat and add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water. Bring just to a low simmer, then whisk in ¾ cup of unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, until melted.
Add the Cheese: Gradually add 1 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly, being sure it is melted and incorporated thoroughly before adding each addition.
Coat the Noodles: Whisk in the additional 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Add the cooked pasta and mix to coat until noodles are covered in sauce. Taste and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.
Simmer and Serve: Cook over low heat, about 3-5 minutes, just until the pasta absorbs most of the liquid. Stir often to avoid scorching the cheese-covered pasta. To serve, place ¼ of the pasta on a plate and add 1 sliced chicken breast. Top with a heaping helping of grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves.
More Alfredo Recipes To Try
- Homemade Alfredo Sauce (with Cream)
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups
- Sausage Alfredo Pasta with Fried Sage
- One Pot Chicken Alfredo
Alfredo Sauce Recipe without Heavy Cream
Ingredients
- 4 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced
- Kosher salt to taste
- 12 ounces dry fettuccini or other long pasta (¾ box)
- 2 cups reserved pasta cooking water divided
- ¾ cup unsalted butter cubed (1½ sticks)
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves; optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta, stirring often, until al dente. Drain, reserving 2 cups of the pasta cooking water. 12 ounces dry fettuccini, Kosher salt
- Set a large skillet over medium-low heat and add 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Bring just to a low simmer, then whisk in butter, one tablespoon at a time, until melted. 2 cups reserved pasta cooking water, ¾ cup unsalted butter
- Gradually add the cheese, whisking constantly, being sure it is melted and incorporated thoroughly before adding each addition. 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Whisk in the additional 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Add the pasta and mix to coat until the noodles are covered in sauce.
- Taste and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired. Freshly ground black pepper
- Cook over low heat, about 3-5 minutes, just until the pasta absorbs most of the liquid. Stir often to avoid scorching the cheese-covered pasta.
- To serve, place ¼ of the pasta on a plate and add 1 sliced chicken breast. Top with a heaping helping of grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves. 4 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Chopped fresh parsley
Video
Notes
- Do not use margarine in place of the butter.
- If using salted butter, do not add any kosher salt.
- The final outcome of this recipe will be determined by the quality of the ingredients, especially the butter and Parmesan cheese. No cream is used, so the “cream” is developed by the emulsion of pasta water, butter, and Parmesan cheese. The final result is fantastic.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
