Chicken Alfredo Zucchini Noodles (Printable version)
Tender chicken and fresh zucchini noodles combine in a creamy and wholesome Italian-American favorite.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), sliced into strips
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Zucchini Noodles
05 - 4 medium zucchini (about 1.76 lbs), spiralized
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Alfredo Sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Extra grated Parmesan, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
02 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and nutmeg if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - In a separate large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add spiralized zucchini and sprinkle with salt. Sauté gently for 2 to 3 minutes until tender but firm. Drain any excess moisture.
05 - Add the cooked chicken strips to the Alfredo sauce and stir to evenly coat.
06 - Divide zucchini noodles among plates, top with creamy chicken mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan. Serve immediately.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It tastes indulgent but won't leave you feeling heavy or sluggish afterward.
- The whole thing comes together in under 40 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore.
- Zucchini noodles soak up that silky sauce better than you'd expect, creating a dish that surprises people who think they don't like vegetables.
02 -
- Zucchini releases water as it cooks, so pat the noodles dry with paper towels after sautéing or your whole dish becomes watery and sad instead of silky.
- The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools, so if it looks a touch loose when you plate it, that's actually perfect.
03 -
- Slice your chicken into even strips before cooking so everything finishes at the same moment; uneven pieces mean some dry spots and some undercooked spots.
- Keep your zucchini noodles on a paper towel while the rest of the dish finishes so any extra moisture gets absorbed instead of pooling on your plate.