Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo (Print-Friendly Version)
Bold Cajun-spiced chicken paired with creamy parmesan sauce over tender pasta for an indulgent, flavor-packed meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta and Protein
01 -
1 lb. Mafaldine noodles or fettuccine/linguine noodles
02 -
3 chicken breasts
→ Sauce Base
03 -
4 tablespoons olive oil
04 -
6 tablespoons butter
05 -
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
2 cups heavy whipping cream
07 -
1.5 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
08 -
4 tablespoons blackened seasoning, divided
09 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Homemade Blackened Seasoning
10 -
2 tablespoons smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
11 -
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
12 -
1 tablespoon onion powder
13 -
2 teaspoons garlic powder
14 -
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
15 -
1 teaspoon salt
16 -
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
17 -
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
→ Optional Accompaniments
18 -
Garlic bread, Texas toast, or garlic knots for serving
# How to Make It:
01 -
Pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Coat both sides with olive oil and generously season with 2-3 tablespoons of the blackened seasoning mix.
02 -
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes until it develops a dark amber color on the underside. Flip once, reduce heat to low, and add 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Allow the garlic butter to melt into the chicken as it finishes cooking for 5-6 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken, tent with foil, and let rest before slicing.
03 -
In the same skillet over medium heat, add the remaining butter and let it melt. Stir in the remaining minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and add 2-3 teaspoons of blackened seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken.
04 -
While the sauce simmers, cook the noodles to al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water before draining.
05 -
Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the Parmesan cheese until fully melted. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Pour in the reserved pasta water and stir to combine.
06 -
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, mixing until well coated. Top with the sliced blackened chicken and a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning before serving.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and reduce butter by half.
02 -
The homemade blackened seasoning can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months.