Cajun Chicken Alfredo
Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a creamy, comforting dinner that combines rich Alfredo sauce with bold, smoky Cajun spices. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish features tender chicken breasts seared to perfection, tossed with fettuccine pasta and a silky Parmesan cream sauce, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains Dairy
Chicken
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning on both sides. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet, let rest, then slice into strips.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add drained fettuccine to the Alfredo sauce, tossing gently to coat every strand evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Serve with Chicken: Top the creamy pasta with sliced Cajun-spiced chicken. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Evenly coat the chicken with Cajun seasoning for consistent flavor throughout.
- Watch the chicken closely while cooking to avoid overcooking and keep it juicy.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce if necessary without losing flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, richer sauce.
- Keep the Alfredo sauce on low heat to prevent it from curdling or breaking.
- Sauté garlic lightly to release aroma without browning, which can cause bitterness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
Keywords: Cajun Chicken Alfredo, creamy pasta, Cajun seasoning, fettuccine Alfredo, spicy Alfredo sauce, easy dinner, creamy chicken pasta