Creamy Chicken Alfredo for Under $5 – No Fancy Ingredients Needed!

Love our recipes? Show your support by following us — pretty please!🥺

Hi! I’m Kate, the face behind KateFi.com—a blog all about making life easier and more affordable.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you). See our official affiliate disclosure for more details.

Craving something rich, creamy, and comforting without splurging on expensive ingredients? This Creamy Chicken Alfredo recipe is here to save your wallet and satisfy your taste buds. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that feels decadent but costs less than $5 to make.

Why This Recipe Works for Budget Foodies

Cheap Ingredients: Chicken thighs or canned chicken, pasta, butter, milk, and garlic are all affordable staples.
Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
Customizable: Add veggies, swap proteins, or use whatever pasta you have on hand.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken Thighs or Canned Chicken: About 1 lb, cooked and shredded or sliced.
Pasta: 8 oz of fettuccine or any pasta you have on hand.
Butter: 1/4 cup (half a stick).
Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
Milk: 1 1/2 cups (use any type of milk you have—whole milk makes it creamier).
Parmesan Cheese (optional): 1/2 cup, freshly grated (or the cheap, pre-grated stuff).
Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Parsley (optional): For garnish.

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Chicken:
- If using raw chicken, cook in a skillet with a bit of oil until cooked through (about 5-7 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
- If using canned chicken, skip this step.
Make the Alfredo Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Stir in the milk and let it heat for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and Serve:
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Toss until everything is coated and heated through.
- Garnish with parsley if desired and serve hot.

Budget-Friendly Tips

Use Chicken Thighs: They’re cheaper than breasts and add more flavor to the dish.
Cheap Parmesan: While fresh Parmesan is great, the budget-friendly pre-grated kind works just fine for this dish.
Add Veggies: Frozen broccoli or spinach makes a cheap and healthy addition.

Internal Links to Check Out

External Links for Further Reading

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken Alfredo recipe is the definition of cheap comfort food done right. You don’t need fancy ingredients to enjoy something truly delicious.

Looking for more frugal recipes? Check out KateFi.com for plenty of budget-friendly meal ideas!