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Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Alfredo Pasta

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Classic chicken alfredo pasta is packed with creamy white sauce, al dente noodles, and deliciously tender pieces of chicken. Perfect weeknight dinner in under 30 minutes.

chicken alfrdo pasta on a black plate

Thank you to Foodland Hawai’i for sponsoring this post. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.

You can’t go wrong with a pasta dish right? I mean it’s quick, easy, and loved by the kids. I’d call that a win, win, win.

What is alfredo?

Alfredo is a white sauce made of cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese most commonly served over pasta. Said to have been created in Italy and ever so popular in the US.

Ingredients for macadamia nut crusted chicken alfredo pasta

  • Maika’i Organic Artisanal Linguine
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Panko
  • All purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper
  • Egg
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Cooking oil of choice
  • Maika’i Classic Alfredo Sauce
  • Baby spinach
  • Cherry tomatoes
chicken alfrdo pasta ingredients

Substitutions

  • If you prefer a more lean cut of chicken use breasts instead of thighs.
  • Most pasta will work for this recipe. Commonly fettuccine, penne, etc.
  • Make this chicken alfredo with broccoli or any of your other favorite veggies instead.
  • If you’re not a chicken fan, try macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi instead.

Tips for the best chicken alfredo pasta

  • Salt your water once it starts boiling. Fresh water has a lower boiling point than salted water. If you add the salt to the water before boiling it will take longer to heat up.
  • Add a little oil to the boiling water to help prevent your noodles from sticking together.
  • This recipe uses a crusted chicken. The best way to keep the breading on the chicken is to serve the chicken on the noodles vs tossing it in the noodles. Tossing in the noodles can often cause the breading to slide off the chicken.
  • Serve this dish warm. It is common to get a little separation in the sauce once it has cooled. Reheat to dish to help bring it back together.

What to serve with chicken alfredo pasta?

The go to standard of good old garlic bread is always a great choice. Pasta and garlic bread just make the ultimate dynamic duo. If you don’t want to go so heavy on the carbs you can definitely serve it with a nice side of fresh salad as well. Totally up to you.

close up chicken alfrdo pasta

How to store chicken alfredo?

This dish tastes best fresh, however if you happen to have leftovers you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you freeze alfredo pasta?

Pasta can be great frozen. If you plan to make this dish ahead of time and store it in the freezer be sure to slightly undercook the pasta. Placing pasta in the freezer can soften the noodles, then when you heat it up you end up with overly soft noodles.

chicken alfrdo pasta

How to reheat frozen pasta?

Reheating frozen pasta is really simple. You can opt to reheat in the microwave using the defrost setting, allow to defrost in the refrigerator overnight the reheat in the microwave or on the stove top, or allow to defrost at room temperature for a few hours then reheat in the microwave or on the stove top. The oven can also be used to warm it up.

Other great pasta recipes

How to make macadamia nut crusted chicken alfredo pasta?

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Generously add salt to the water and cook Maika’i Organic Artisanal Linguine pasta according to package directions.
  2. While the pasta is boiling, add macadamia nuts to a food processor or blender and pulse until finely chopped. Then add the panko and pulse until just combined. Pour macadamia nut mixture on a large plate.
  3. To another plate add flour, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine. To the last plate add an egg and whisk to combine.
  4. Add cooking oil of choice to a saute pan and heat over medium heat.
  5. Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel. Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, being sure to coat the entire surface. Then dip in the egg and finally the macadamia and panko mix.
  6. Place the chicken in the oil and shallow fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through or until golden brown and an internal temperature of 165F. Remove from oil and set on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  7. Once the noodles are done, drain, and return to the pot. Pour in Maika’i Classic Alfredo Sauce, spinach, and tomatoes. Stir to combine. Transfer pasta to your serving dish of choice.
  8. Slice the chicken thighs in strips and lay over the pasta and ENJOY!.
close up chicken alfrdo pasta

Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Alfredo

Relle Lum
Classic chicken alfredo pasta is packed with creamy white sauce, al dente noodles, and deliciously tender pieces of chicken. Perfect weeknight dinner in under 30 minutes.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 516 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package 16 ounces Maika’i Organic Artisanal Linguine
  • 1/2 cup macadamia nuts shelled
  • 1/2 cup panko
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • cooking oil of choice
  • 1 jar 15 ounces Maika’i Classic Alfredo Sauce
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Generously add salt to the water and cook Maika’i Organic Artisanal Linguine pasta according to package directions.
  • While the pasta is boiling, add macadamia nuts to a food processor or blender and pulse until finely chopped. Then add the panko and pulse until just combined. Pour macadamia nut mixture on a large plate.
  • To another plate add flour, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine. To the last plate add an egg and whisk to combine.
  • Add cooking oil of choice to a saute pan and heat over medium heat.
  • Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel. Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, being sure to coat the entire surface. Then dip in the egg and finally the macadamia and panko mix.
  • Place the chicken in the oil and shallow fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through or until golden brown and an internal temperature of 165F. Remove from oil and set on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  • Once the noodles are done, drain, and return to the pot. Pour in Maika’i Classic Alfredo Sauce, spinach, and tomatoes. Stir to combine. Transfer pasta to your serving dish of choice.
  • Slice the chicken thighs in strips and lay over the pasta and ENJOY!

Notes

*Chicken breasts work for this recipe as well.
*Feel free to add your favorite veggies of choice here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 30gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 570mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g
Keyword alfredo pasta, chicken alfredo pasta, easy dinner recipe, easy recipe, keeping it relle, macadamia nut crusted chicken alfredo, pasta
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By on March 1st, 2021

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

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