Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe

Picture this: a cozy evening in, a playlist of your favorite tunes, and the tantalizing aroma of garlic and Parmesan wafting through your kitchen as you whip up Fettuccine Mio Amore—a delightful dance of creamy goodness, tender chicken, and vibrant veggies that’ll make any weeknight dinner feel like a special occasion. 🍝✨

A photo of Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe

Fettuccine Mio Amore is a delightful dish of creamy textures and vibrant flavors. The tender chicken strips mingle with garlic and fresh spinach for a delicate balance of protein and greens.

Along with the fettuccine, we add Parmesan cheese and sweet cherry tomatoes, which are so flavorful, you will hardly believe they are in season nearly year-round. I love the way these serve to elevate the dish in both flavor and texture.

The final flourish is to garnish the pasta with lemon zest (or juice) and fresh basil. Perfect for family meals, the dish is also nice enough for a romantic dinner for two.

Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients photo for Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe

  • Fettuccine Pasta: A source of carbohydrates that provides energy and helps you feel full.
  • Chicken Breast: Lean protein that supports muscle growth and repairs tissues.
  • Olive Oil: Rich in healthy fats, it enhances flavor and promotes heart health.
  • Garlic: Contains antioxidants and offers anti-inflammatory benefits.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creaminess while being a source of fat.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Aged cheese that brings umami flavor and provides calcium.
  • Spinach: Packed with vitamins, iron, and fiber for a healthy boost.

Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe Ingredient Quantities

  • 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Lemon zest, optional

How to Make this Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe

1. Prepare the fettuccine pasta as per the package directions and cook until it has a slight bite to it. Drain and set aside.

2. In a big frying pan, warm the olive oil on medium-high heat. Place the chicken strips in the pan and fry them until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep it warm.

3. The same skillet is used to reduce the temperature to medium and incorporate the minced garlic. For about 1 minute, the heat is kept steady as the skillet’s contents sauté to produce a fragrant result.

4. Add the heavy cream, and stir to combine it with the garlic. Let the cream heat through gently for about 2-3 minutes.

5. Slowly incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese into the cream, mixing continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is perfectly smooth.

6. Combine the cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves with the other ingredients in the skillet, cooking for 2 minutes longer until the tomatoes soften slightly and the spinach wilts.

7. Put the chicken back into the skillet and mix it with the sauce and vegetables such that the coating is even all over the chicken.

8. Add salt and pepper to the dish, tasting it to determine if these seasonings are needed and in what amounts.

9. Toss the cooked fettuccine into the skillet with the sauce and ingredients until the pasta is well coated and everything is evenly mixed.

10. Serve the Fettuccine Mio Amore warm and top it with fresh basil leaves. For a completely zesty finish, you can add optional lemon zest.

Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Large pot
2. Colander
3. Frying pan or large skillet
4. Tongs or spatula
5. Knife
6. Cutting board
7. Plate (for setting aside cooked chicken)
8. Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula
9. Measuring cups and spoons
10. Grater (for Parmesan cheese, if not pre-grated)

FAQ

  • Q: Can I use a different type of pasta instead of fettuccine?A: Yes, you can replace fettuccine with any long pasta like linguine or spaghetti.
  • Q: Is there a substitute for heavy cream?A: You can use a lighter alternative like half-and-half or a mixture of milk and butter, but be aware that this might change the sauce’s richness.
  • Q: Can I make this dish vegetarian?Of course! Leave out the chicken and put in more vegetables—try mushrooms and zucchini—for a dish that has even more flavor and texture.
  • Q: How do I store leftovers?Store leftover food in a container that seals completely in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To enjoy it again, heat it slowly on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • Q: Can I prepare the sauce in advance?You can prepare the sauce a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. Warm it gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk if it seems too thick after sitting in the cold for a day.
  • Q: Is the lemon zest necessary?It’s optional to add lemon zest, but it contributes a refreshing, citrusy note that balances the rich, creamy sauce.
  • Q: Can I freeze this pasta dish?A: You can freeze pasta and chicken but not cream sauces.

    Pasta and chicken freeze well. Cream sauces do not.

Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe Substitutions and Variations

For fettuccine pasta: Use whole wheat fettuccine or gluten-free pasta if a dietary adjustment is needed.
Replace olive oil with avocado oil or canola oil if you want a different-tasting oil or one that can handle more heat.
For chicken breast: Experiment with chicken thighs made boneless and skinless for a juicier, textured tender piece of meat; or try an all-out seafood variation with shrimp.
For heavy cream: For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half. For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream.
For Parmesan cheese, you can use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano for a different cheesy taste.

Pro Tips

1. Enhance the Flavor of Chicken: Before cooking the chicken, season the strips with a little salt, pepper, and your favorite Italian herbs like oregano or thyme for an added layer of flavor.

2. Improve Garlic Aroma: To maximize the flavor of the garlic, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing. This will infuse the oil with a slightly spicy, aromatic flavor.

3. Perfect Pasta Texture: To prevent the fettuccine from sticking together, save a cup of pasta cooking water before draining. You can use this starchy water to help loosen up the sauce if it becomes too thick when you mix everything together.

4. Cheese Transition: When incorporating the Parmesan cheese, remove the skillet from heat briefly to prevent the cheese from curdling. Stir it in gradually for a smooth sauce.

5. Freshness and Zest: If you choose to add lemon zest, sprinkle it just before serving to maintain its fresh aroma and bright touch, which will complement the creaminess of the dish beautifully.

Photo of Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe

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Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe

My favorite Fettuccine Mio Amore Recipe

Equipment Needed:

1. Large pot
2. Colander
3. Frying pan or large skillet
4. Tongs or spatula
5. Knife
6. Cutting board
7. Plate (for setting aside cooked chicken)
8. Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula
9. Measuring cups and spoons
10. Grater (for Parmesan cheese, if not pre-grated)

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Lemon zest, optional

Instructions:

1. Prepare the fettuccine pasta as per the package directions and cook until it has a slight bite to it. Drain and set aside.

2. In a big frying pan, warm the olive oil on medium-high heat. Place the chicken strips in the pan and fry them until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep it warm.

3. The same skillet is used to reduce the temperature to medium and incorporate the minced garlic. For about 1 minute, the heat is kept steady as the skillet’s contents sauté to produce a fragrant result.

4. Add the heavy cream, and stir to combine it with the garlic. Let the cream heat through gently for about 2-3 minutes.

5. Slowly incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese into the cream, mixing continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is perfectly smooth.

6. Combine the cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves with the other ingredients in the skillet, cooking for 2 minutes longer until the tomatoes soften slightly and the spinach wilts.

7. Put the chicken back into the skillet and mix it with the sauce and vegetables such that the coating is even all over the chicken.

8. Add salt and pepper to the dish, tasting it to determine if these seasonings are needed and in what amounts.

9. Toss the cooked fettuccine into the skillet with the sauce and ingredients until the pasta is well coated and everything is evenly mixed.

10. Serve the Fettuccine Mio Amore warm and top it with fresh basil leaves. For a completely zesty finish, you can add optional lemon zest.

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