This hearty pasta dish combines marinated grilled chicken and tender broccoli with a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It provides a balanced meal that is simple to assemble using standard kitchen equipment.
List of ingredients
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts – used as the primary protein.
- 1 cup Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Salad Dressing – for marinating the chicken.
- 1 stick of real butter – provides the fat base for the sauce.
- 1- 8 oz. package cream cheese, diced into squares – adds stability and creaminess to the sauce.
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan Cheese – adds a salty, sharp flavor.
- ¾ cup milk – used to adjust the sauce consistency.
- ½ cup vegetable broth – a savory liquid base.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder – for aromatic seasoning.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – for aromatic seasoning.
- 1 package fettuccine noodles – the pasta base for the dish.
- 2 stalks of broccoli or 2 cups cut broccoli florets – the vegetable component.
step-by-step instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts and 1 cup of Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Salad Dressing in a gallon zip lock bag. Let the chicken marinade for 4 to 8 hours in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the broccoli: In a medium sauce pan, cover the broccoli florets with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Drain well and cover to keep warm.
- Cook the pasta: Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a full boil. Cook the fettuccine noodles until tender. Drain well.
- Create the Alfredo sauce: In a medium sauce pan, combine 1 stick of butter, the cubed cream cheese, and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Place over medium-low heat and stir constantly until the ingredients melt and blend. Stir in the garlic powder and onion powder. Once blended, stir in the milk and vegetable broth until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add more milk if the sauce is too thick to reach your desired consistency.
- Grill the chicken: Grill the marinated chicken breasts until the juices run clear. Once cooked, cut the chicken into 1/4 inch thick slices.
- Assemble the dish: In a large serving or casserole dish, layer the cooked noodles first, followed by the broccoli florets. Pour the warm Alfredo sauce over the noodles and broccoli. Place the sliced grilled chicken on top and sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately or keep warm in the oven for no more than 30 minutes.
Grilling and Protein Preparation
Maintaining Chicken Juiciness on the Grill
Maintain a medium-high heat on your grill to ensure the chicken develops a sear without drying out. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid overcooking, as this can make the breast meat tough.
Resting the Meat Before Slicing
Allow the grilled chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting it into slices. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Slicing too early can cause the juices to escape, resulting in drier chicken.
Optimizing the Marinade Duration
While the recipe calls for 4 to 8 hours, you can marinade the chicken up to 48 hours for deeper flavor. However, avoid exceeding 48 hours as the acids in the dressing can break down the muscle fibers too much. This may lead to a mealy texture in the finished meat.
Slicing Against the Grain
Cut the chicken breasts into 1/4 inch slices across the grain. This technique shortens the muscle fibers, making the chicken more tender to chew. Ensure your knife is sharp to get clean, uniform slices.
Mastering the Alfredo Sauce
Tempering Cream Cheese for Smoothness
Dice the cream cheese into small, equal squares and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This prevents the cheese from clumping when it hits the melted butter. It ensures a more uniform emulsion in the final sauce.
Preventing Sauce Separation
Stir the butter and cheeses constantly over medium-low heat. Using a whisk helps incorporate air and prevents the fats from separating from the solids. Avoid using high heat, which can cause the dairy to break or scorch.
Adjusting Sauce Viscosity
Add milk one tablespoon at a time after the initial amount has been mixed in. This allows you to precisely control the thickness of the sauce. A slower addition prevents the sauce from becoming too thin too quickly.
Incorporating Dried Seasonings
Ensure the garlic and onion powders are added and stirred thoroughly before adding the final liquids. This helps the powders dissolve completely. It prevents small clumps of seasoning from appearing in the finished sauce.
Vegetable and Pasta Management
Blanching Broccoli for Texture
Cook the broccoli florets only until they are tender-crisp to avoid a mushy texture. This typically takes 3 to 5 minutes of boiling. Immediate draining and covering helps retain the vibrant green color.
Managing Frozen Broccoli Alternatives
If using frozen broccoli, thaw the florets and pat them dry with a paper towel before cooking. Excess water from frozen vegetables can dilute the Alfredo sauce. Boil them for a shorter duration than fresh broccoli to maintain structure.
Preventing Pasta from Sticking
Toss the drained fettuccine with a small amount of butter or olive oil if you are not adding the sauce immediately. This creates a thin barrier that prevents the noodles from clumping. Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente for the best mouthfeel.
Using Alternative Pasta Shapes
While fettuccine is traditional, penne or bowtie pasta can be used. These shapes are better at holding onto thick sauces. Adjust the cooking time based on the specific pasta package instructions.
Storage and Food Safety
Refrigeration Guidelines
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight glass or plastic container. Ensure the dish is cooled slightly before sealing to prevent excessive condensation. The meal will remain safe for consumption in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Preventing Sauce Absorption
Be aware that pasta tends to absorb the sauce while sitting in the refrigerator. This can make the leftovers seem dry. To mitigate this, you can store a small amount of extra milk or broth to add during reheating.
Safe Cooling Times
Do not leave the assembled dish at room temperature for more than two hours. Transfer leftovers to the refrigerator promptly to prevent bacterial growth. This is especially important for dishes containing cream and chicken.
Reheating Instructions
Microwave Reheating Technique
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or water to the pasta before microwaving. Stir the dish halfway through the heating process to ensure an even temperature. Use a medium power setting to prevent the cheese sauce from breaking.
Oven Reheating for Best Quality
Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Heat at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. The foil traps steam, which helps re-emulsify the sauce and keeps the chicken moist.
Stovetop Reheating Method
Place the pasta and sauce in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of milk and stir gently until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency again. Avoid boiling the sauce, as this can cause it to separate.
Make-Ahead Strategies
Pre-Preparing the Vegetables
Broccoli florets can be cut and stored in a sealed bag up to two days before cooking. This reduces the prep time on the day of assembly. Keep them refrigerated to maintain freshness.
Preparing the Sauce in Advance
The Alfredo sauce can be made a few hours ahead and kept warm on the lowest setting of your stove. Alternatively, store it in the fridge and reheat it slowly with a bit of extra milk. This allows you to focus on grilling the chicken.
Planning the Marinade
The chicken can be placed in the marinade bag up to 24 hours in advance. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat. Store the bag on a plate or in a bowl to prevent any leaks in the refrigerator.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Why did my sauce separate?
Sauce separation usually happens due to excessive heat or a lack of stirring. If this occurs, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk or water vigorously over low heat to bring the emulsion back together.
How do I stop the pasta from being too salty?
Since Parmesan cheese is naturally salty, limit the amount of salt added to the pasta water. Taste the sauce before adding any additional salt to ensure the flavor is balanced.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes, grilled shrimp or sliced steak can be used as alternatives to chicken. If using shrimp, reduce the grilling time to prevent them from becoming rubbery.
What can I use instead of fettuccine?
You can use whole wheat pasta for more fiber or gluten-free alternatives like chickpea pasta. Be sure to follow the specific cooking times for these varieties to avoid overcooking.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few extra minutes on low heat to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, stir in an extra tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese to increase the density.
Print
Savory Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
An Easy Grilled Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo that will surely become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Salad Dressing
- 1 stick real butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, diced into squares
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup alcohol-free white wine alternative
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 package fettuccine noodles
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Instructions
- Step: Place chicken breast and 1 cup of Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Salad Dressing in a gallon zip lock bag and marinade 4 – 8 hours.
- Step: In a medium sauce pan cover broccoli florets with water. Bring to a boil and cook till tender crisp. Drain well. Cover and keep warm.
- Step: Bring a large pot filled half way full with water to a full boil. Once boiling cook your fettuccine noodles till tender. Drain well.
- Step: In a medium sauce pan place 1 stick of butter, 1- 8oz. brick cream cheese cubed, and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Place pan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until butter, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese melt and blend together. Add garlic powder and onion powder. Stir. Once blended, stir in milk and alcohol-free white wine alternative till smooth and creamy. If sauce is too thick add more milk till you have reached a desired consistency.
- Step: Grill chicken until juices run clear. Cut the chicken breast into 1/4 inch thick slices.
- Step: In large serving dish or casserole dish, layer the noodles then the broccoli florets. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the noodles and broccoli. Lay the sliced grilled chicken breasts on top and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
You can cook the chicken in a skillet on top of the stove if you don’t want to grill it. You can also substitute more milk in place of the cooking wine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 605 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 645 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 161 mg