Chicken alfredo, a classic Italian-American dish, is known for its creamy, cheesy sauce. However, frozen chicken alfredo can often fall short in terms of flavor, leaving you craving something more. To elevate your frozen chicken alfredo experience, this guide will provide you with a range of seasonings and techniques to transform your bland dish into a flavorful masterpiece.
Enhancing Frozen Chicken Alfredo with Seasonings
Herbs
- Oregano: This aromatic herb adds a subtle earthy flavor that complements the richness of the sauce.
- Thyme: Similar to oregano, thyme offers a herbaceous touch with a slightly minty undertone.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, vibrant flavor and freshness to the dish.
- Basil: The sweet and slightly peppery notes of basil create a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Chervil: This delicate herb imparts a subtle anise-like flavor, adding complexity to the dish.
Spices
- Nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg adds a warm, nutty aroma and depth of flavor.
- Garlic powder: Garlic powder provides a savory, umami taste that enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Crushed red pepper: For a touch of heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper to balance the richness of the sauce.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a classic touch of spiciness and depth.
Other Seasonings
- Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese not only adds a salty, nutty flavor but also thickens the sauce.
- Lemon zest: A squeeze of lemon zest brightens the dish and cuts through the richness of the sauce.
- White wine: A splash of white wine adds acidity and complexity to the sauce.
Techniques for Enhancing Flavor
- Simmering herbs: Adding herbs like thyme or oregano to the sauce during the simmering process allows their flavors to infuse into the sauce.
- Adding delicate herbs: Delicate herbs like parsley, basil, or chervil should be added towards the end of cooking to preserve their delicate flavors.
- Incorporating pesto: A spoonful of leftover pesto adds a vibrant herbaceous twist to the sauce, combining the flavors of basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese.
With the right seasonings and techniques, you can transform your bland frozen chicken alfredo into a flavorful and satisfying meal. Experiment with different combinations of herbs, spices, and other seasonings to create a dish that suits your taste preferences. Remember to adjust the quantities based on your desired level of flavor intensity. By following these tips, you can elevate your frozen chicken alfredo experience and enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal.
How to make jarred alfredo sauce better
To create a delicious jarred alfredo sauce, try one, two, or all of the many techniques and add-ins available. With a few extra ingredients, you can easily transform a grocery store jar of alfredo sauce into a recipe that tastes just as good for chicken, fettuccine, or even shrimp.
For two to three minutes, over medium heat, sauté minced garlic in extra virgin olive oil or butter, stirring frequently to avoid burning. To release the flavor of the garlic, do this step first if you are using multiple add-ins.
If you don’t have fresh garlic or would rather have a smoother sauce, you can also add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to a regular jar of alfredo sauce and stir it well to add the flavor of garlic.
The herbs oregano, parsley, thyme, and chives are all excellent choices if you have a herb garden or fresh herbs on hand. As you heat your sauce, finely chop the herbs and add a little at a time, stirring to find the right amount for your taste.
Heavy Cream, Cream Cheese, or Sour Cream
You can add up to 1/2 cup of heavy cream, cream cheese, or sour cream to make an extra creamy sauce. Similar to how I advise adding fresh herbs, as you heat your sauce, add a small amount at a time, stir until blended, and adjust to taste and the jarred sauce you started with.
Pro Tip: To prevent the sauce from having a grainy texture, use only full-fat cream cheese instead of low-fat varieties.
Cheese, which already has a creamy texture, is a simple way to enhance the flavor of store-bought alfredo sauce. My first choice when adding cheese to sauces is Parmesan, but asiago or romano cheese are also excellent options. Classic alfredo sauce is made with Parmesan cheese. Melt and mix in up to 1/4 cup of these firmer cheeses by stirring them into a jar of sauce over a medium-low heat.
You can also increase the amount of melted cheeses, such as gouda or mozzarella, but this could alter the final flavor. Add up to 1/2 cup of these cheeses.
Pro Tip: Use freshly shredded cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded types are coated in a powder to help keep them from sticking, which can give your sauce a grainy texture at the end.
Another essential component of homemade sauce is butter, which also gives jarred sauce a richer flavor. Stir real butter (not margarine) up to 1/4 cup (half a stick) into store-bought sauce. Add both to the sauce after sautéing the garlic in butter for additional flavor.
In a saucepan, add the 1/4 cup of wine and cook over medium heat for two to three minutes. Then, add the sauce and heat thoroughly, stirring. The wine adds an excellent rich flavor to the sauce.
You can experiment with your spice collection to give store-bought alfredo sauce some taste. Garlic powder as mentioned above is just a start. Great choices include red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, onion powder, salt, black pepper, or white pepper. As with anything else, taste test and add a little at a time starting with 1/2 teaspoon.
Adding chicken stock or broth to your sauce is a great way to enhance its flavor. While the sauce is heating, add 1/2 to 1 cup of broth.
The easiest way to hide that you are using jarred alfredo sauce is to top it off with cooked ground beef or ground turkey, chopped cooked bacon, peeled and cooked shrimp, or shredded or chopped chicken breast. Additionally, you can add chopped carrots, peas, cooked onions, fresh broccoli, and even Brussels sprouts. Serve the sauce on its own or toss it with pasta and additional meat and veggies.
Indeed, as previously stated, you may want to modify the quantity of add-ins you use based on your own preferences and the brand of sauce you start with. Every brand, be it Bertoli, Prego, Ragu, or another, will have a unique beginning point in terms of flavor and seasonings, as well as thickness or creaminess. To get the best results, add your favorite add-ins a little at a time and taste as you go to customize the recipe!
Sure, you can freeze alfredo sauce for up to three months in a freezer-safe container. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently, after thawing overnight in the refrigerator.
Store any leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container.
You can thin out a thick sauce by adding heavy cream, broth, or milk. Add cheese or make a cornstarch slurry by combining 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1/2 cup chicken broth if you overindulge and need to thicken it. While the alfredo sauce is heating over medium heat, add.
Although I’ve already covered a lot of ways to enhance the flavor of jarred alfredo sauce, my favorite recipe is below if you’d rather not experiment. Happy cooking!.
Please rate and comment below if you try this recipe—I’d love to hear from you!
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN ALFREDO USING STORE BOUGHT ALFREDO SAUCE!? QUICK AND EASY RECIPE!
FAQ
How do you make bland Alfredo taste better?
How do you make chicken Alfredo less bland?
What can I add to chicken Alfredo to spice it up?
Why is my chicken Alfredo bland?
How do you spice up Alfredo sauce?
Another simple way to spice up a boring jar of Alfredo sauce is fresh herbs. Adding fresh herbs to a dish makes it brighter and adds another dimension to a tired sauce. Add basil, parsley, oregano, or rosemary to add life to the sauce.
How do you season chicken alfredo?
Beyond cooking the meat evenly, seasoning it well is crucial to this chicken Alfredo recipe. A generous coating of kosher salt, pepper, and paprika are all that is needed to make flavorful, golden chicken. For added dimension add garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, or herbs like basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.
Can you add garlic to Alfredo sauce?
Alfredo sauce is a creamy white sauce that is traditionally made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. While this classic sauce is delicious on its own, there are a few things that you can add to it to make it even better. One great way to enhance the flavor of Alfredo sauce is to add some garlic to it.
What can I add to Alfredo sauce?
This will give the sauce a nice depth of flavor and make it even more irresistible. If you want a bit of a kick, you could also add some red pepper flakes or black pepper to the sauce. Another great way to jazz up Alfredo sauce is to add in some fresh herbs like basil or parsley. These will brighten up the flavors and make for a truly unique dish.