Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo Recipe
This Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo combines the creamy richness of classic Alfredo sauce with the bold, smoky flavors of Cajun-spiced chicken. Perfectly cooked chicken breasts are coated with a homemade blackened seasoning and seared to a dark amber crust. The Alfredo sauce is infused with garlic and a touch of Cajun seasoning, tossed with mafaldine or fettuccine noodles for a satisfying, flavorful meal that’s perfect for dinner. Serve with garlic bread or Texas toast to complete this indulgent dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 tablespoons blackened seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika or regular 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
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced, divided
For the Alfredo Sauce and Pasta
- 1 lb Mafaldine noodles or fettuccine/linguine noodles
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1.5 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2–3 teaspoons blackened seasoning (from the above mixture)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional for Serving
- Garlic bread, Texas toast, or garlic knots
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch for uniform cooking. Rub each breast with olive oil to help the seasoning adhere.
- Season chicken: Liberally coat both sides of the chicken breasts with 2-3 tablespoons of the homemade blackened seasoning mixture.
- Cook chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, until the underside has developed a dark amber crust. Flip the chicken, then reduce heat to low. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 teaspoons minced garlic to the pan, letting the garlic butter melt and coat the chicken. Cook for another 5-6 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Rest chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate tented with foil to rest. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken tender.
- Prepare Alfredo sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, add the remaining butter and melt it. Add the remaining minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream and 2-3 teaspoons of blackened seasoning, then reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the mafaldine or fettuccine noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Finish Alfredo sauce: Stir the shredded Parmesan cheese into the thickened sauce until fully melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then add the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and stir until well combined.
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked noodles to the Alfredo sauce, stirring gently to coat all the pasta evenly. Slice the rested chicken breasts and place the slices over the noodles. Sprinkle additional Cajun seasoning on top if desired. Serve immediately with garlic bread, Texas toast, or garlic knots on the side.
Notes
- For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- The blackened seasoning can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to one month.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount in the seasoning to control the heat level.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but sauce may be less rich and thick.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Serve with a crisp green salad for a balanced meal.
Keywords: Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo, Cajun Chicken, Creamy Alfredo Sauce, Blackened Seasoning, Mafaldine Pasta, Cajun Pasta, Spicy Chicken Alfredo
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/blackened-cajun-chicken-alfredo-recipe/
