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Creamy Thermos Chicken Alfredo: Best School Lunch

creamy thermos chicken alfredo for school lunches - featured image
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A creamy, kid-approved chicken alfredo that stays hot in a thermos until lunchtime. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy school mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • Extra Parmesan for topping

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook one minute less than package directions. Drain, but do not rinse.
  2. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and milk, whisking constantly. Scrape up brown bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  5. Add Parmesan cheese slowly, a handful at a time, whisking after each addition until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  6. Return chicken to the skillet along with any juices. Stir and let simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss with tongs until coated. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  8. While pasta cooks, fill thermos with boiling water and let sit for 5 minutes to preheat. Dump out water before filling.
  9. Spoon hot pasta into preheated thermos, packing gently but filling to the top. Screw lid on tightly.
  10. Wrap thermos in a kitchen towel and pack in lunchbox. Stays hot for 4-5 hours.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to prevent sogginess. Grate your own Parmesan for smooth sauce. Preheat thermos with boiling water for best heat retention. Can be made the night before and reheated in the morning.

Nutrition

Keywords: thermos lunch, chicken alfredo, school lunch, creamy pasta, kid-friendly, make-ahead lunch

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/creamy-thermos-chicken-alfredo-best-school-lunch/