When life gets overwhelming and you want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen, chicken Alfredo pasta is my go-to. It looks fancy, but it’s secretly very forgiving.
Sometimes I make it with plain chicken breast. Other times, when we have leftover lechon manok from Sunday, I shred it up and throw it into the sauce. The smoky, garlicky flavors of the lechon manok blend beautifully with Alfredo sauce and make the dish feel richer—like a reinvention of leftovers instead of reheating the same thing.
The best part? It’s all one pot. Boil pasta, stir the sauce, toss everything together, and dinner is done.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken breast (diced) or shredded leftover lechon manok
- 300g rigatoni (or penne) pasta
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp salt (reduce if using lechon manok)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)
Instructions
- Cook pasta. %https://relaxlangmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chicken-alfredo-pasta-10.jpg%
- Bring salted water to a boil, add rigatoni, and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare chicken. %https://relaxlangmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chicken-alfredo-pasta-3-diced-chicken.jpg
- Dice plain chicken breast, or shred leftover lechon manok.
- Remove bones, and chop skin finely if you want extra flavor.
- Make the sauce. %https://relaxlangmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chicken-alfredo-pasta-4.jpg
- In the same pot, pour in Alfredo sauce. Add chicken pieces and simmer for 3–5 minutes until warmed through.
- Add veggies. %https://relaxlangmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chicken-alfredo-pasta-6.jpg
- Stir in peas. They add sweetness and color, plus they sneak in some greens for the kids.
- Combine everything.
- Toss the pasta into the sauce until every piece is coated. Taste before adding salt—lechon manok already carries flavor.
- Spoon into bowls, top with Parmesan and parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
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- Leftover lechon manok gives a smokier, more savory flavor than plain chicken breast.
- Add mushrooms or broccoli if you want extra vegetables.
- For more richness, stir in a splash of cream or butter before serving.
Why This Works for Moms
This recipe is flexible. Use whatever chicken you have—fresh, leftover, roasted, or lechon manok. It turns ordinary ingredients into a comforting meal without extra stress. My kids call this their “white pasta,” and it always disappears fast.
Sometimes, food doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to feed everyone well.
