How Many Calories Are in Olive Garden’s Chicken Alfredo? A Closer Look at This Classic Italian Dish

Italian comfort food chicken Alfredo is made with fettuccine pasta and a creamy, cheesy Alfredo sauce. A lot of Italian-American restaurants serve it, like the well-known chain Olive Garden. But is this hearty pasta dish bad for you, or is it possible to eat it without feeling bad? Let’s take a closer look at Olive Garden’s Chicken Alfredo to find out.

What Exactly is Chicken Alfredo?

Alfredo sauce forms the base of any Chicken Alfredo dish. It’s made from butter cream or milk, parmesan cheese and seasonings like garlic, salt, and pepper. This blend creates a smooth, rich, and decadent sauce that coats each strand of pasta. Sautéed chicken breast is added on top to create the complete Chicken Alfredo dish.

The origins of Alfredo sauce can be traced back to 1914 in Rome Italy. Restaurant owner Alfredo di Lelio supposedly invented it by tossing freshly made fettuccine pasta with butter and parmesan cheese. It became popular with American tourists visiting Rome, and di Lelio even named the dish after himself – “Fettuccine Alfredo.”

Alfredo sauce changed into the creamier, cheesier version we know today when Italian immigrants brought it to America. Tender, juicy chicken breast goes perfectly with the rich sauce for a comforting meal.

Olive Garden’s Take on Chicken Alfredo

At Italian chain restaurant Olive Garden, Chicken Alfredo is served with fettuccine noodles, Alfredo sauce, grilled chicken breast, and parsley. The Alfredo sauce is made fresh in house, featuring a blend of cream, parmesan cheese, and butter. Olive Garden prides itself on serving authentic Italian cuisine in a warm, welcoming environment.

Customers love this dish for its simple, satisfying flavors. The smooth, creamy sauce wraps around each noodle, while the chicken provides a boost of protein. It’s the ultimate comfort food! Olive Garden offers several portion sizes to suit different appetites:

• Regular Chicken Alfredo: Starts at 680 calories
• Lunch Portion Chicken Alfredo: Starts at 490 calories
• Create Your Own Chicken Alfredo: Starts at 800 calories
• Tour of Italy (featuring Chicken Alfredo and two other pastas): Starts at 1110 calories

So how many calories are actually in Olive Garden’s Chicken Alfredo? Let’s break it down.

Nutrition Facts: Calories and More

The nutrition facts can vary slightly depending on the exact portion size ordered. Here are the averages for a regular size Chicken Alfredo from Olive Garden:

• Calories: 880
• Total Fat: 49g
• Saturated Fat: 28g
• Trans Fat: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 165mg
• Sodium: 1280mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 64g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 47g

As you can see, a regular serving packs nearly 900 calories and about half of those come from fat. The saturated fat and sodium levels are quite high as well, due to all of the cheese, cream, and butter in the Alfredo sauce.

However, the grilled chicken breast in this dish gives it a lot of protein. In addition, the vegetables, dairy, and pasta all have some good nutrients.

Tips for Lightening Up Chicken Alfredo

Chicken Alfredo is traditionally a high-calorie, high-fat indulgence. But this pasta dish can be made much lighter by making a few simple changes and smart choices:

• Request whole wheat pasta: Olive Garden offers whole grain fusilli pasta instead of regular fettuccine. This adds fiber and cuts calories.

• Choose a smaller portion: Opt for the lunch size or half portion to slash calories and fat. The lighter sauce will allow the flavors to shine through.

• Load up on veggies: Ask for extra grilled veggies like zucchini, broccoli, and tomatoes to boost nutrition without adding many calories.

• Say no to extras: Stick to the standard Chicken Alfredo, skipping add-ons like fried chicken tenders which drive up calories and fat.

• Use light Alfredo sauce: Make it at home with lower-fat milk, lean cream cheese, and just a touch of parmesan.

• Flavor with herbs: Basil, oregano, thyme, and other fresh herbs amp up flavor without the extra calories.

• Watch your portion sizes: Stick to a 1 1/2 cup serving of pasta with 3-4 oz chicken breast. This satisfies without overdoing calories.

The Verdict: Enjoy Occasionally as a Treat

Olive Garden’s iconic Chicken Alfredo is a delicious, indulgent treat. But with nearly 900 calories and almost 50g of fat in a regular portion, it should be enjoyed occasionally rather than frequently. Selecting a smaller portion, adding veggies, and choosing whole grain options can make this pasta dish more nutritious.

Ultimately, Chicken Alfredo is high in calories, fat, and sodium, yet it does provide protein, carbs, and some nutrients. If you follow a balanced diet full of healthier fare at most meals, enjoying Olive Garden’s Chicken Alfredo as an occasional splurge is perfectly fine. Savor every creamy, dreamy bite of this Italian classic!

A Chicken Alfredo from Olive Garden contains 1,570 calories.