Cajun Chicken Alfredo Recipe
This Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with a bold blend of Cajun spices, cooked to perfection in a skillet, and served over fettuccine tossed in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. Garnished with fresh parsley, this meal brings a flavorful twist to a classic comfort food that the whole family will enjoy.
- Author: Yana
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Chicken and Seasonings
- 3 medium chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tbsp garlic herb blend
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Garnish
- Fettuccine pasta (enough for 3 servings, approx. 8 oz dry)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic herb blend. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly on all sides of the chicken breasts to coat thoroughly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook, flipping every 3 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), about 12-15 minutes total depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine noodles and cook for 6-8 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water if desired.
- Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: To the skillet with garlic butter, add 1 cup of chicken broth (or reserved pasta water), 1 cup heavy whipping cream, and 1 tablespoon corn starch. Stir constantly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken. Then stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Toss Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked fettuccine noodles into the skillet with the thickened Alfredo sauce. Toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and place them on top of the plated pasta. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For best results, measure the internal temperature of chicken with an instant-read thermometer to ensure safe cooking.
- You can substitute chicken broth with pasta cooking water for a more delicate sauce flavor.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for smoother melting and better flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
Keywords: Cajun Chicken Alfredo, creamy chicken pasta, Cajun pasta recipe, fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, easy chicken Alfredo