Chicken Alfredo

 

My husband and I have adapted this recipe from recipes we have seen online. In an attempt to make a homemade alfredo sauce similar to Olive Garden's alfredo sauce. Google "Olive Garden copycat alfredo recipes" to find other similar recipes. We have slightly tweaked those recipes and I think we now have the perfect recipe for alfredo sauce. We like ours with a little spice to it and that is one of the main differences. This is definitely not a recipe that is easy on the waistline but it is delicious!

Ingredients:
8 oz penne or other pasta, cooked to your preference
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked to your preference
1 cup heavy cream
6T butter
2 oz cream cheese (we use 1/3 less fat, not that it will help this dish!)
Cayenne pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
3 oz fresh grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Combine cream, butter, cream cheese, and seasonings in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently with a whisk, and reduce heat to low. Simmer on low until thickened, usually the amount of time it takes for the water to boil and noodles to cook. Add fresh parmesan and stir over medium heat until cheese is melted. Serve immediately over hot noodles and cut cup chicken breast. Leftovers do not reheat well. We usually cut this recipe in half to serve two people.

Parmesan Orzo

 

This dish is becoming one of my favorite side dishes. The original recipe can be found on Allrecipes but I have made a few changes. I cut the amount of butter in half (which I do with a lot of recipes to cut down the amount of fat. I also leave out the basil, as that is not something I keep in the house. I like to season this with garlic, seasoned salt, or even cayenne pepper. 

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp butter

1 cup orzo

1 (14oz) can chicken broth

1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan

Preferred seasonings

Directions:

Melt butter in a saucepan, add orzo and saute until orzo slightly browned. Stir in chicken broth and seasonings, bring to a boil. Boil until the majority of the broth is cooked down, about 15-20 minutes. Mix in parmesan and stir until melted.