Description
Indulge in the rich and flavorful Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo, a dish that brings the heat of Cajun spices and the creaminess of alfredo sauce together in perfect harmony. This quick and easy recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions, allowing you to whip up a restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes. The tender blackened chicken breasts are paired with perfectly cooked pasta, all enveloped in a luscious sauce that offers a delightful burst of flavor with every bite. Serve it with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. mafaldine noodles (or fettuccini/linguini)
- 3 chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1.5 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons blackened seasoning, divided
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Pound chicken to an even 1/4 inch thickness.
- Rub them with olive oil and season liberally on both sides with about 2-3 tablespoons of blackened seasoning.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes until it has a dark amber color on one side.
- Flip just once; reduce heat to low.
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic into the skillet, allowing it to melt into the chicken as it finishes cooking for about 5-6 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate, tenting with foil to keep warm while resting before slicing.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, add remaining butter and let it melt.
- Add remaining minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream along with 2-3 teaspoons of blackened seasoning, bringing it to a low boil while allowing it to thicken for about 5 minutes.
- While sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving about 1/3 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Add shredded parmesan into the alfredo sauce and stir until melted.
- Pour in reserved pasta water into alfredo sauce; stir well.
- Mix in cooked noodles, combining thoroughly before topping with sliced chicken.
- Optionally, sprinkle additional cajun seasoning on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg