Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a type of Italian pasta dish prepared with fettuccine tossed in emulsified butter and Parmesan cheese, with flavour from cream and pan-fried chicken breast.

Many years ago I posted an Alfredo recipe which is made with seafood then one person commented on its history and claimed to be a grandchild of the creator of “fettuccine all’Alfredo”, Alfredo Di Lelio. I was quite new in the blogging world during those days and I was stoked to be commented by a descendant of the recipe I was posting before. During those days, most of my recipes are the common dishes found around the world and I do love researching about their history, so getting comments like this was quite exciting for me.

Alfredo e Ines Di lelio was the one who commented, and he said:

HISTORY OF ALFREDO DI LELIO CREATOR IN 1908 OF “FETTUCCINE ALL’ALFREDO”, NOW SERVED BY THE GRANDCHILDREN, ALFREDO E ISA DI LELIO, AT THE RESTAURANT “IL VERO ALFREDO” IN ROME, PIAZZA AUGUSTO IMPERATORE 30

With reference of your article we have the pleasure to tell you the history of our grandfather Alfredo Di Lelio, who is the creator of “fettuccine all’Alfredo” in 1908 in restaurant run by his mother Angelina in Rome, Piazza Rosa (Piazza disappeared in 1910 following the construction of the Galleria Colonna / Sordi).
Alfredo di Lelio opened the restaurant “Alfredo” in 1914 in Rome, after leaving the restaurant of his mother Angelina. In this local spread the fame, first to Rome and then in the world, of “fettuccine all’Alfredo”.
In 1943, during the war, Di Lelio sold the restaurant to others outside his family.

In 1950 Alfredo Di Lelio decided to reopen with his son Armando his restaurant in Piazza Augusto Imperatore n.30 “Il Vero Alfredo” (“Alfredo di Roma”), which is now managed by his nephews Alfredo and Ines, with the famous “gold cutlery” (fork and spoon gold) donated in 1927 by two well-known American actors Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks (in gratitude for the hospitality).

See also the site of “Il Vero Alfredo” http://www.alfredo-roma.it.

We must clarify that other restaurants “Alfredo” in Rome do not belong to the family tradition of “Il Vero Alfredo” in Rome.

We inform that the restaurant “Il Vero Alfredo” is in the registry of “Historic Shops of Excellence” of the City of Rome Capitale.

Best regards Alfredo e Ines Di Lelio

From the sounds of it, the restaurant “Alfredo alla Scrofa” is not related to the bloodline of the inventor since it has been sold to the family of its restaurant owners where he invented the dish. Alfredo Di Lelio opened another restaurant with his son Armando in Piazza Augusto Imperatore n.30, Il Vero Alfredo (“the true Alfredo”) which is still open today. So in a gist “Alfredo alla Scrofa” is where Fettuccine Alfredo was invented but it you want to taste the real family recipe that was handed over through generations then you have to try it in “Il Vero Alfredo”.

My version below don’t claim it’s an original one but a celebration of this great dish with a vibrant history. The original calls for fresh fettuccine tossed with butter and Parmesan cheese, no cream involved, and the cheese and butter is enough to that fettuccine a nice flavourful coating. Our dish will use the same technique but to make things interesting we added some cream and protein for a more delicious result and making it a complete meal.

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Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

  • Author: Raymund
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a type of Italian pasta dish prepared with fettuccine tossed in emulsified butter and Parmesan cheese, with flavour from cream and pan-fried chicken breast.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 250 g fettuccine
  • 750 g chicken breast (approx. 3-4 fillets)
  • 200 g white button mushrooms, sliced (optional)
  • 100 ml cream
  • 150 ml chicken stock
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan plus more for garnishing
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • olive oil
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • sea salt
  • blanched broccolini, for sides

Instructions

  1. Season chicken breast with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Heat pan, add olive oil then pan fry chicken breast for 5-6 minutes (depending on the thickness) on each side. Add 3 tablespoon of butter to the pan, swirl butter around and continue to cook the chicken for 2 more minutes while continuously basting chicken breast with melted butter, set chicken aside and keep it covered.
  3. Cook pasta according to instructions, drain then toss in the remaining butter. Set aside.
  4. Using the same pan you use cooking the chicken, add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  5. Add mushrooms if using, cook for a minute.
  6. Now add chicken stock, cream, parmesan and a dash of sea salt simmer until sauce is reduced and thickens. Toss in pasta and parsley. Turn heat off.
  7. Slice chicken breasts, place pasta on serving platter then top the pasta with sliced of chicken.
  8. Serve with generous amount of grated parmesan.

Recommended

4 Responses

  1. Very creamy and delicious! I always love mine with extra portion of Parmesan 🙂

  2. Chef Mimi says:

    Very interesting background on this dish! It’s a perfect comfort meal, which we all need! Happy New Year!

  3. As much as I know about Italian food, I knew nothing about the real fettuccine Alfredo. Thanks for the history lesson, and next time I’m in Roma… honestly, I think this may be why people think there is cream in spaghetti alla carbonara. Maybe they get them confused?

  4. Josephine says:

    A very interesting story about your featured recipe and I would be stoked, too, if the originator’s family responded to my blog! The recipe looks quite easy and will send a picture when I finally cook it.
    History buffs unite!

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