Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo, a dish that elevates your weeknight dinners to gourmet status. In just 30 minutes, you can prepare juicy blackened chicken breasts topped with a luscious homemade Alfredo sauce that boasts a delightful blend of garlic and Cajun spices. This recipe is not only quick but also versatile, making it perfect for family gatherings or intimate date nights. The combination of comforting pasta and bold seasoning will surely impress your guests while being simple enough for a casual night in.
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 to taste
- 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 the chicken to an even 1/4 inch thickness.
- Rub the chicken with olive oil and season liberally on both sides with about 2-3 tablespoons of blackened seasoning.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan.
- Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes until it has a dark amber color on one side, then flip just once.
- Reduce heat to low, add 2 tablespoons of butter along with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, letting it melt into the chicken as it finishes cooking for about 5-6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and tent with foil on a plate to rest before slicing.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, add remaining butter and allow it to melt.
- Add in remaining minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and add 2-3 teaspoons of blackened seasoning; bring it to a low boil while stirring frequently to thicken (about 5 minutes).
- While sauce simmers, cook noodles according to package instructions until al dente, reserving about 1/3 cup of pasta water.
- Add shredded parmesan cheese into the Alfredo sauce; stir until melted.
- Pour reserved pasta water into Alfredo sauce; mix well.
- Add cooked noodles into the sauce, stir to combine, then top with sliced chicken.
- Optionally sprinkle additional Cajun seasoning on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 300g)
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 43g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg