Boil the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, bring it to a boil, and add a generous amount of salt. Cook the fettuccine until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Prep the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken breasts in half for quicker, even cooking. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Once sizzling, sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Remove and set aside.
Build the Sauce: In the same pan (wipe out excess oil if needed but keep those flavorful browned bits), melt ½ cup of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant—about 30 seconds.
Create Creamy Magic: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Combine the Elements: Slice the chicken into strips. Add the cooked fettuccine to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water for that silky texture.
Serve and Savor: Plate the fettuccine Alfredo, top it with juicy chicken strips, and finish with a sprinkle of parsley for color.