"How to Make the Best Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo at Home (Step-by-Step Guide)"
A creamy and flavorful Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo, made with tender chicken, succulent shrimp, and a rich Parmesan sauce, served over fettuccine pasta. Perfect for a quick and indulgent dinner that everyone will love!
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Shrimp:
- 2 chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- 12 oz shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water optional
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning optional for a flavor boost
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz fettuccine or other pasta of choice
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients:
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Thaw shrimp if frozen, pat them dry, and season them with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the shrimp:
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of butter and sauté the shrimp until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Alfredo sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and cream cheese until smooth.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to avoid clumps.
- Add Cajun seasoning for a flavor boost if desired.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Combine:
- Return the cooked chicken and shrimp to the skillet.
- Stir everything together to coat the proteins in the creamy Alfredo sauce.
- Prepare the pasta:
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- Serve:
- Plate the fettuccine, top with the chicken and shrimp Alfredo mixture, and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute part of the heavy cream with milk or broth.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil add a burst of color and freshness when sprinkled on top before serving.
- Fettuccine is a classic choice for this dish, but you can use other types of pasta like linguine or tagliatelle.
- To add extra flavor, consider sprinkling a pinch of smoked paprika or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.