Description
Craving something warm, creamy, and completely satisfying? This Creamy Velveeta Chicken Fettuccine with Garlic Cheese Sauce is the ultimate comfort food that comes together in under 40 minutes! Tender chunks of smoky chicken meet ribbons of fettuccine drenched in a garlic-forward, velvety cheese sauce made with melted Velveeta and cream. This is one of those easy dinner ideas that delivers restaurant-level taste with simple pantry staples. Whether you're looking for a quick dinner, weeknight comfort food, or impressive food ideas for entertaining, this easy recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1.5 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp onion powder
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
12 oz fettuccine pasta
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic finely minced
2 cups heavy cream
8 oz Velveeta cheese cubed
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
0.25 tsp ground black pepper
salt to taste
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for sauce)
0.5 cup reserved pasta water (optional)
Instructions
1. In a bowl, toss cubed chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until fully coated.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in batches until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add cubed Velveeta and whisk until fully melted and smooth.
6. Stir in grated Parmesan (if using), black pepper, and salt to taste.
7. Add cooked fettuccine into the cheese sauce. Toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
8. Stir in fresh parsley.
9. Plate the pasta and top with the seared chicken. Garnish with additional parsley and Parmesan if desired.
10. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
Cube Velveeta before adding to help it melt faster and more evenly into the cream.
Always reserve pasta water — it's your best tool to control sauce consistency.
For best results, use fresh garlic instead of jarred for richer, aromatic flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, garlic cheese sauce, easy dinner, Velveeta chicken pasta, comfort food