By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on June 12, 2023 | Last Updated on November 28, 2023
What about making Mrs. Gail’s Chicken Alfredo for dinner? It is a delicious and easy Italian-American dish that can be prepared in no time. The creamy sauce made of butter, cream, and parmesan cheese along with garlic-flavored chicken is simply divine.
It is the perfect comfort food to serve to friends and family on special occasions or just weeknight dinners. Mrs. Gail’s Chicken Alfredo is a classic dish that consists of chicken, creamy alfredo sauce, and pasta. This flavorful dish can be served with any type of Pasta like Fettuccine or Penne.
However, if you want to learn how to make your own version of the traditional Italian dish, then look no further Mrs. Gail’s Chicken Alfredo Recipe is here to help you make a delicious and satisfying meal that everyone will love.
What Is Mrs. Gail’s chicken alfredo?
Mrs. Gail’s Chicken Alfredo is an Italian-American recipe created by Mrs. Gail in the 1960s. It consists of chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, and pasta. The main ingredients of this dish are chicken breasts cut into cubes, cream, Parmesan cheese, butter, garlic cloves, and fettuccine pasta.
This deliciously creamy meal can be prepared in no time and is always a crowd-pleaser. The classic dish usually pairs with fettuccine noodles or penne but it can be enjoyed with any type of pasta you like. It is flavorful and quick to make.
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Where Did I First Try Mrs. Gail’s chicken alfredo?
For the very first time, I tried Mrs. Gali Chicken Alfredo in the Magnolia Market, a food shop in Texas. Magnolia Market is the brainchild of Chip and Joanna Gaines, who founded the business in 2003. The shop sells a variety of foods including sandwiches, salads, pastas, and desserts as well as locally sourced ingredients.
I was drawn to the shop by the vibrant colors and cheerful atmosphere with its wide selection of local produce, artisanal ingredients, and seasonal specialties. I couldn’t help but have a look around the store to see what they had to offer. As I browsed through the shelves, my eyes immediately fell on Mrs. Gail’s Chicken Alfredo dish.
The rich combination of tender chicken with creamy alfredo sauce served over fettuccine noodles grabbed my attention and I just had to try it. As soon as I took a bite, I was hooked! The chicken was so tender and flavorful, the alfredo sauce creamy and decadent, and the fettuccine noodles cooked perfectly al dente.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2¼ to 2½ pounds boneless chicken breast: It is the principal ingredient of this recipe and it is usually taken from chicken breast, however, other cuts can be used too.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: these are added to give the chicken a good flavor.
- Olive oil: It helps make the outside of the chicken crispy and adds extra flavor.
- Butter: This is typically garlic butter or melted butter, which gives the chicken a nice flavor.
- All-purpose flour: This is used to coat the chicken before frying for a crisp texture.
- Large eggs: They help bind the flour and give it a crunchy texture.
- Panko or regular bread crumbs: It helps add extra crunchiness to the outside of the chicken.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: It adds flavor and works as a coating for the chicken.
- Salted butter: This is used to make the creamy texture.
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- Heavy cream: It gives the sauce its creamy texture.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: This is used to give a cheesy flavor to the sauce.
- Fettuccine, or other pasta: This is used to serve the dish.
- Butter melted: This is used to give a rich flavor to the sauce.
- Garlic, finely minced: This enhances the flavor of the sauce and adds depth of taste.
- Greshly ground black pepper: It gives a hint of spiciness to the sauce.
- Kosher salt: This is used to season the sauce and give it a balanced flavor.
Cooking Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 200°F.
Step 2
Prepare the Chicken
- Place a chicken breast between two layers of plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag and pound it with a meat tenderizer until it’s ¼ to ½ inch thick. Repeat with the remaining breasts, cutting larger pieces into halves if needed. Season both sides of each piece lightly with salt and pepper.
- Prepare three separate shallow dishes: one for the flour (mixed with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper), one for the beaten eggs, and one for the panko/parmesan mixture.
- Working with one piece at a time, coat the chicken in flour, then dip it into the beaten egg, letting any excess run off before dredging it in panko/parmesan mixture. Place the chicken on a baking sheet or platter and continue with the remaining pieces.
- When it’s cooked slice it into pieces.
Step 3
Make the Fettuccine Alfredo
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions, for about 12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cream, Parmesan cheese, white pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pan; whisk until creamy and thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat; add the cooked fettuccine and chicken to the pan and toss to combine.
Step 4
To serve, combine the cooked fettuccine with the Alfredo sauce and mix well to coat the noodles. Divide between 4 plates and top each with a chicken breast. Serve with lemon wedges and parsley sprinkles (optional).
Cooking Tips
• For a healthier version, you can opt to bake the chicken instead of frying it. Simply coat the chicken with the flour and egg mixture and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
• If you don’t have panko or bread crumbs on hand, you can use crushed crackers or even oats as a substitute.
• For a vegan version of this recipe, use vegan butter and non-dairy cream instead of the ingredients listed in the alfredo sauce. You can also opt to add some vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to make it even healthier!
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
You can substitute the following ingredients for this recipe if desired:
• Olive oil – You can use any type of vegetable oil or melted butter instead of olive oil.
• All-purpose flour – You can also use almond flour, coconut flour, or any other gluten-free alternative.
• Eggs – Flax eggs are a great vegan alternative to regular eggs.
• Panko or bread crumbs – If you don’t have either, crushed crackers or oats can be used instead.
• Heavy cream – You can use non-dairy cream as a vegan alternative.
• Fettuccine – Any type of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti, or penne can be used instead.
• Parmesan cheese – You can opt to use vegan parmesan cheese as a replacement if needed.
• Butter – If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can replace it with vegan butter or olive oil.
Mrs Gail’s Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Equipment
- A cutting board
- bowls
- large skillet
- Spatula
- etc
Ingredients
For Chicken:
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to season and enhance the natural flavors of the chicken
- 2 tablespoons of salted butter to infuse the chicken with richness and a buttery flavor.
- 1⅛ to 1¼ pounds of tender and juicy boneless chicken providing a protein-rich main component
- ¾ cup of grated Parmesan cheese adding a deliciously cheesy and savory element to the coating
- 1½ large eggs to bind the coating ingredients together and create a golden and crunchy texture
- ¼ cup of flavorful and versatile olive oil to coat the chicken and aid in cooking
- ¾ cup of panko or regular bread crumbs for a crispy and textured exterior on the chicken
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour for a light and crispy coating on the chicken
For Fettuccine Alfredo:
- ⅛ teaspoon of ground white pepper to add a subtle and gentle heat to the Alfredo sauce
- 1½ garlic cloves minced, adding a pungent and aromatic note to the Alfredo sauce.
- ¾ cup of grated Parmesan cheese creating a decadently cheesy and flavorful sauce
- ½ pound of fettuccine a classic pasta choice that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce
- 1 cup of rich and creamy heavy cream for a luscious and velvety sauce
- 4 tablespoons ½ stick of salted butter to enrich the sauce and provide a smooth and velvety texture
- Kosher salt to season the pasta water for optimal flavor absorption
For Serving:
- 1½ teaspoons of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley adding a vibrant and herbaceous touch to the presentation.
- 1 lemon providing a bright and citrusy flavor to garnish and enhance the overall taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°F.
- Place a chicken breast between two layers of plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag and pound it with a meat tenderizer until it's ¼ to ½ inch thick. Repeat with the remaining breasts, cutting larger pieces into halves if needed. Season both sides of each piece lightly with salt and pepper. Prepare three separate shallow dishes: one for the flour (mixed with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper), one for the beaten eggs, and one for the panko/parmesan mixture. Working with one piece at a time, coat the chicken in flour, then dip it into the beaten egg, letting any excess run off before dredging it in panko/parmesan mixture. Place the chicken on a baking sheet or platter and continue with the remaining pieces. When it's cooked slice it into pieces.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions, for about 12 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cream, Parmesan cheese, white pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pan; whisk until creamy and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add the cooked fettuccine and chicken to the pan and toss to combine.
- To serve, combine the cooked fettuccine with the Alfredo sauce and mix well to coat the noodles. Divide between 4 plates and top each with a chicken breast. Serve with lemon wedges and parsley sprinkles (optional).
Notes
- For a healthier version, you can opt to bake the chicken instead of frying it. Simply coat the chicken with the flour and egg mixture and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- If you don’t have panko or bread crumbs on hand, you can use crushed crackers or even oats as a substitute.
- For a vegan version of this recipe, use vegan butter and non-dairy cream instead of the ingredients listed in the alfredo sauce. You can also opt to add some vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to make it even healthier!
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Per Serving:
• Calories – 598 kcal
• Fat – 30.2 g
• Saturated fat – 14.4 g
• Cholesterol – 114 mg
• Sodium – 1170 mg
• Carbohydrates – 58.2 g
• Fiber – 3.5 g
• Protein – 25.4 g
• Vitamin A – 10% Daily Value
• Vitamin C – 1% Daily Value
• Calcium – 25% Daily Value
• Iron – 11% Daily Value
How to Store Leftover Mrs. Gail’s chicken alfredo?
If you have any leftovers then they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can reheat it, in the microwave or a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through. Indeed, this meal is best enjoyed fresh, as the cream sauce may thicken when stored.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can eat Mrs. Gail’s Chicken Alfredo as long as all ingredients are cooked and the dish is not served too hot (to avoid food-borne illnesses). Pregnant women should also monitor their intake of Parmesan cheese due to its high sodium content.
Do I have to use Fettuccine Noodles for this dish?
No, you don’t have to use fettuccine noodles for this dish. You can substitute it with any type of pasta such as linguine, spaghetti, or penne if desired.
Are there vegan alternatives for this recipe?
Yes, there are vegan alternatives to the ingredients used in this recipe. For example, you can use vegan butter, non-dairy cream, and vegan parmesan cheese instead of regular ingredients. You can also opt to add some vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to make it even healthier!
Can I add other ingredients to the dish?
Yes, you can add other ingredients like mushrooms, broccoli, or spinach for extra flavor and texture. You can also top your finished dish with chopped parsley or fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for reading about Mrs. Gail’s Chicken Alfredo. This dish is a great way to enjoy all the flavors of classic Alfredo without compromising on taste or health.
It’s also relatively easy to make and can be customized with different ingredients according to your preferences. Follow the recipe instructions closely and you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time!
I hope you found it helpful and informative. If you do, please share this article with others. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out in the comment section below.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
