Description
Spicy Cajun chicken alfredo weaves Louisiana’s bold flavors into classic Italian pasta comfort. Creamy sauce, blackened chicken, and zesty spices create a memorable dinner experience you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced (120 g)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (240 g)
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced (240 g)
- 10.5 oz (300 g) penne pasta
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 0.5 cup (60 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Spice Preparation: Meticulously blend Cajun seasonings in a mixing bowl, creating a robust, flavor-packed spice mixture for later application.
- Pasta Cooking: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add penne pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside, preserving the pasta’s ideal texture.
- Chicken Seasoning and Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Generously coat chicken strips with Cajun spice blend, then sear until golden-brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken and reserve.
- Vegetable Infusion: In the same skillet, sauté onions and bell peppers until translucent and tender. Add minced garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning, allowing spices to release their aromatic essence.
- Sauce Development: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, bringing to a gentle simmer. Reduce and thicken the sauce, creating a rich, velvety base for the dish.
- Final Assembly: Reunite chicken and pasta within the creamy sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and luxurious.
- Plating and Garnish: Transfer the Cajun Chicken Alfredo to serving plates, adorning with finely chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a visually stunning and flavor-enhanced presentation.
Notes
- Master Spice Blend: Create the Cajun seasoning mix ahead of time for deeper, more concentrated flavor infusion throughout the dish.
- Pasta Perfection: Cook penne al dente to maintain a slight bite, preventing mushy texture and ensuring ideal pasta consistency.
- Chicken Searing Technique: Achieve golden-brown exterior by using high heat and avoiding overcrowding in the skillet for maximum caramelization.
- Cheese Melting Secret: Add Parmesan off the heat to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 30min
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 128 mg