Chicken With Crab Sauce Fettucini
Creamy chicken with succulent crab sauce and tender fettucini, blending fresh vegetables and herbs for a luxurious, comforting meal perfect for special occasions or family dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- Salt to taste ⓘ
- Lemon pepper ⓘ
- Mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 bell peppers ⓘ
- 1 onion ⓘ
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms ⓘ
- 4 oz cream cheese ⓘ
- 1 cup whipping cream ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 lemon (for juice) ⓘ
- 8 oz fettucini ⓘ
- Fresh parsley ⓘ
- Green onion ⓘ
- Lump white crab meat ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
Instructions
- Skin, wash, and dry the chicken breasts.
- Coat the chicken thoroughly with black pepper, a little salt, and lemon pepper.
- Rub mayonnaise on each chicken breast to glaze with a thin coating.
- Place the chicken, bone side down, in a lightly oiled (1 teaspoon olive oil) large black iron skillet.
- Set the oven to 400°F and bake the chicken until golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes.
- While the chicken bakes, prepare the crab sauce by sautéing chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper, and fresh mushrooms in olive oil until tender.
- Add cream cheese, whipping cream, soy sauce, lemon juice, and lump white crab meat to the sautéed vegetables, stirring until smooth and heated through.
- Cook fettucini according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- Chop fresh parsley and green onion for garnish.
- Serve the baked chicken over fettucini topped with the rich crab sauce, garnished with parsley and green onion.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in lemon juice and garlic for a few hours prior to cooking. If you don't have lump crab meat, imitation crab or shrimp can also work well in the sauce. To lighten the dish, you can use low-fat cream cheese and whipping cream. Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chicken over the fettucini topped with the crab sauce and a sprinkle of fresh parsley and green onion. This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or garlic bread. For a complete Italian experience, consider serving with a side of roasted vegetables or a glass of white wine.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover chicken and crab sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken in the oven at 350°F and heat the crab sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Crab Sauce Fettucini contains roughly 963 calories, with 32g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 81g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (63% of the Daily Value), iron (42% of the Daily Value), and potassium (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2731mg per serving (119% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but make sure to thaw them completely before seasoning and baking. This ensures even cooking and flavor absorption. Plan ahead and defrost in the refrigerator overnight for best results.
What can I substitute for cream cheese?
If you're looking for a substitute for cream cheese, consider using mascarpone cheese or a vegan cream cheese alternative. Greek yogurt can also work in a pinch, but it will slightly alter the flavor and texture of the sauce.
How can I make this dish spicy?
To add some heat to your crab sauce, incorporate red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce while sautéing the vegetables. You can also use spicy bell peppers or serve with a spicy dipping sauce on the side for added flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).