Description
Bold blackened chicken meets creamy Alfredo in this irresistible Cajun-inspired pasta recipe — comforting, spicy, and ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream (or evaporated milk)
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta
- Water + salt for boiling
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Extra Parmesan
Instructions
- Season and Blacken Chicken: Pat chicken dry. Mix spices and rub over both sides. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high, sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through (165°F). Let rest.
- Boil Pasta: Cook fettuccine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Stir in cream and simmer. Add Parmesan and whisk until smooth. Thin with pasta water if needed.
- Toss Pasta: Add fettuccine to sauce. Toss to coat and season to taste.
- Slice Chicken: Slice chicken into strips.
- Serve: Plate pasta, top with chicken, garnish with parsley, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Use evaporated milk for a lighter version.
- Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier cut.
- Store leftovers up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat with added cream or pasta water to restore sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 715 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 165mg