If you’re craving a luscious pasta dish that feels indulgent yet fits perfectly into a dairy-free lifestyle, this Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Recipe is your new best friend. It combines tender, juicy chicken with a velvety, rich sauce that uses almond and coconut milk to achieve that classic Alfredo creaminess without any dairy at all. The addition of nutritional yeast and tapioca starch transforms simple pantry staples into a flavorful, thick sauce that clings beautifully to perfectly cooked fettuccine. This comforting meal is not just allergy-friendly but downright delicious, proving that you don’t need dairy to enjoy creamy comfort food.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role, from building the sauce’s creamy texture to delivering savory depth and a pop of color. These simple, wholesome components come together to create a meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast: Provides tender, protein-packed strips that soak up the sauce perfectly.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps in browning the chicken for extra flavor.
- Small onion: Gives a mild sweetness and aromatic base when sautéed.
- Garlic cloves: Brings that unmistakable fragrant punch to the sauce.
- Unsweetened almond milk: Lightens the sauce while lending creamy consistency without overpowering flavor.
- Unsweetened coconut milk: Adds a silky mouthfeel and subtle sweetness to balance savory notes.
- Vegetable or chicken broth: Deepens flavor and thins the sauce slightly for smooth blending.
- Nutritional yeast: Provides a cheesy, umami flavor and enriches the sauce’s depth naturally.
- Tapioca starch (or cornstarch): Thickens the sauce to that perfect Alfredo consistency without clumps.
- Italian seasoning: Brings herby warmth and classic Italian flair.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance every flavor in the dish.
- Dairy-free cheese shreds (optional): For that extra cheesy experience if you want to elevate the cheesiness without dairy.
- Fettuccine pasta: The ideal pasta shape to hold onto the creamy sauce deliciously.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, bright pop of color and a hint of herbal vibrancy as garnish.
How to Make Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by preparing the fettuccine according to the package directions. Making sure the pasta is al dente is key because it should have a firm bite that holds the sauce without getting mushy. Once cooked, drain it well and set it aside since this will be combined with the sauce later for maximum flavor absorption.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add your seasoned chicken strips. Cooking them until golden and fully cooked through ensures they stay juicy and tender. This step adds wonderful texture and protein that makes this dish a hearty meal.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics
Using the same skillet, toss in the diced onion and sauté until translucent and soft to release that natural sweetness. Then, add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, which happens quickly — this builds a delicious, aromatic base for the sauce that’s hard to beat.
Step 4: Make the Alfredo Sauce
Pour in the unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, and broth to the skillet; these form the creamy foundation of our dairy-free Alfredo. Next, sprinkle in nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk the mixture consistently for about 4-5 minutes until it thickens into a smooth, velvety sauce. If you opt for dairy-free cheese shreds, now is the moment to stir them in and melt them down for added richness.
Step 5: Combine Chicken and Pasta
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet so it’s enveloped in that creamy sauce. Then, add the freshly cooked fettuccine and toss everything together until every strand and piece of chicken is luxuriously coated. This is where the magic really happens — creamy and comforting in every bite!
How to Serve Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley isn’t just for looks; its crisp, herbaceous flavor cuts through the richness brilliantly. Sprinkle chopped parsley liberally over the dish for a vibrant pop of green and an aromatic finish that brightens the palate.
Side Dishes
Pair this creamy delight with a simple green salad drizzled with lemon vinaigrette, roasted garlic asparagus, or steamed broccoli. These sides add freshness and balance, complementing the richness without competing with the star of the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties or cozy family nights, serve the Alfredo in warm shallow bowls with an extra sprinkle of nutritional yeast or dairy-free parmesan on top. You can also twirl the pasta into elegant nests for a stylish presentation that will impress your guests and make each serving feel special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually mellow and blend beautifully overnight, making your next meal just as enjoyable.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to prepare ahead. Pack it tightly in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. To maintain creamy texture, it’s best to avoid freezing if you’ve added dairy-free cheese shreds, as they might change texture upon thawing.
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often and adding a splash of almond milk if the sauce feels too thick or dry. This method keeps the sauce silky and the chicken tender, ensuring each bite tastes freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While fettuccine is traditional and perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce, feel free to use penne, linguine, or even gluten-free pasta variations depending on your preference or dietary needs.
Is nutritional yeast necessary in the Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Recipe?
Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, umami flavor that mimics classic Alfredo cheese, but if you don’t have it on hand, you may substitute with a bit of dairy-free cheese or leave it out for a lighter sauce. Just keep in mind it might alter the depth of flavor.
Can I substitute the almond or coconut milk with something else?
You can experiment with other unsweetened plant milks like oat or cashew milk, but be sure they’re unsweetened and unflavored to maintain the creamy texture and avoid altering the flavor profile too much.
How do I make this recipe nut-free?
To make this nut-free, replace almond milk with unsweetened oat or rice milk, and ensure the dairy-free cheese is free from nut ingredients. Coconut milk remains safe for most nut allergies, but check labels to be sure.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Simply omit the chicken and increase the vegetables or tofu for protein. The rest of the recipe remains the same, making this Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Recipe easy to adapt for vegan diets without compromising on creaminess or flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Recipe is proof that you don’t need traditional dairy to enjoy a silky, indulgent pasta dinner. It’s a dish that comforts and satisfies, whether you’re avoiding dairy or simply want to try something new and delicious. I encourage you to give it a go and watch how this wholesome, easy-to-make meal becomes a favorite in your kitchen just as it did in mine.
Print
Creamy Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Creamy Dairy Free Chicken Alfredo is a luscious and comforting pasta dish made without any dairy products. Featuring tender chicken breast strips cooked to golden perfection and coated in a rich, creamy sauce crafted from almond and coconut milks, nutritional yeast, and tapioca starch, this recipe offers all the indulgence of classic Alfredo without the dairy. Perfect for anyone seeking a dairy-free, flavorful meal, this dish is enhanced with Italian herbs, dairy-free cheese (optional), and fresh parsley garnish, served over perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Liquids
- 1 cup (250ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Dry Ingredients & Seasonings
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional
- 1/4 cup (60g) dairy-free cheese shreds (optional)
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) fettuccine pasta, uncooked
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil water and cook the fettuccine pasta following package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
- Heat the Skillet: In a large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the sliced chicken breast to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and has turned golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Onion: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, and vegetable or chicken broth. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle in the nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk continuously until the sauce thickens, which should take about 4-5 minutes.
- Add Dairy-Free Cheese (Optional): If using dairy-free cheese shreds, add them now and stir until the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet, stirring to evenly coat them in the creamy sauce.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked fettuccine pasta into the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated and the ingredients are well combined.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top as a garnish before serving warm for a delicious dairy-free meal.
Notes
- You can substitute tapioca starch with cornstarch if preferred for thickening the sauce.
- The dairy-free cheese is optional but adds extra creaminess and flavor if used.
- Ensure the almond and coconut milk are unsweetened to maintain the intended flavor profile.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms or steamed vegetables.
