Description
Spicy Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo brings Louisiana’s bold flavors to creamy pasta perfection. Zesty seasoned chicken and rich alfredo sauce combine in a quick, restaurant-worthy meal that delivers mouthwatering southern comfort right to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Blackened Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
Protein and Pasta:
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1 pound mafaldine noodles (or fettuccini/linguini)
Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1.5 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Flatten chicken breasts to an even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking. Coat lightly with oil and generously apply Cajun blackening seasoning for robust flavor profile.
- Heat skillet to medium-high temperature. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes until developing a dark caramelized exterior. Reduce heat, introduce butter and minced garlic, continuing cooking until chicken reaches complete doneness.
- Without cleaning skillet, create alfredo sauce by melting remaining butter with fresh garlic. Gently pour cream, incorporating seasonings, and allow mixture to simmer and gradually thicken.
- Simultaneously prepare pasta in salted boiling water, cooking until perfectly tender yet firm. Carefully extract and reserve approximately 1/3 cup starchy cooking liquid.
- Integrate freshly grated parmesan into sauce until completely melted and smooth. Incorporate reserved pasta water to enhance sauce consistency. Fold pasta into creamy mixture, ensuring thorough coating.
- Slice chicken diagonally into elegant strips. Artfully arrange atop pasta, creating visually appealing presentation. Garnish with additional parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Pound chicken evenly to ensure consistent cooking and maximum flavor absorption from the blackened seasoning.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet to achieve the perfect dark amber crust without burning the spices.
- Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help sauce cling better to noodles.
- Try dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or nutritional yeast for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 809
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1083 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 173 mg