Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Introduction

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a bold and creamy twist on the Italian-American classic. It combines the silky richness of Alfredo sauce with the smoky, spicy kick of Cajun seasoning. The juicy, pan-seared chicken adds protein and heartiness, while the fettuccine pasta soaks up all the deliciously spiced, cheesy sauce.

This dish is the perfect marriage of comfort and excitement—it gives you the coziness of Alfredo but with an extra layer of flavor that wakes up your taste buds.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it balances creamy and spicy in the best way possible. The Cajun seasoning infuses the chicken and sauce with warmth and smokiness, while the Alfredo cream base mellows everything out, creating a harmonious flavor combination.

It’s also incredibly versatile—you can make it for a casual family dinner, a special date night, or even meal prep. And the best part? It tastes like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Restaurant-quality pasta in 30 minutes.
• Combines creamy comfort with Cajun spice.
• Customizable with shrimp, sausage, or veggies.
• One of those meals that makes everyone ask for seconds.
• Works for both weeknights and special occasions.

Prep & Cook Time

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings & Nutrition

• Servings: 4
• Calories: ~650–700 per serving (depending on pasta and cream used)

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: Fusion (Italian-American with Cajun influence)
• Course: Main Course (Dinner or Lunch)

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g)
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine (or linguine, penne)
• 1 tsp salt (for boiling water)

For the Alfredo Sauce:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Cook pasta until al dente.
2. Season chicken with Cajun spices and pan-sear until golden and juicy.
3. Make Alfredo sauce with butter, garlic, cream, Parmesan, and Cajun spice.
4. Toss pasta in sauce, slice chicken, and place on top.
5. Garnish and serve hot.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

• Boil a large pot of salted water.
• Cook fettuccine until al dente (8–10 minutes).
• Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

• Pat chicken dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
• Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 3: Make the Cajun Alfredo Sauce

• In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
• Pour in heavy cream, simmer 2–3 minutes.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
• Add 1 tsp Cajun seasoning for flavor and a slight kick.

Step 4: Combine

• Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
• Slice chicken and arrange on top of the creamy pasta.

Step 5: Serve

• Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

How to Serve

• Serve in shallow bowls with garlic bread or breadsticks.
• Pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad.
• For drinks, go with iced tea, lemonade, or a chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Pound chicken breasts for even cooking.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan—pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning based on spice tolerance.
• If you like it extra spicy, add cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.

Variations

• Cajun Shrimp Alfredo – Swap chicken for shrimp, cooking them for 2–3 minutes per side.
• Cajun Chicken & Sausage Alfredo – Add smoked andouille sausage slices.
• Vegetarian Cajun Alfredo – Replace chicken with roasted veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
• Lighter Alfredo – Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
• Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free pasta.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or milk.
• Freezing: Alfredo sauce doesn’t freeze well (it may separate). Freeze only cooked chicken separately (up to 2 months).

Special Equipment Needed

• Large pot for pasta
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Tongs (for tossing pasta & chicken)
• Sharp knife for slicing chicken

Conclusion

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta is the perfect dish when you want something creamy, comforting, and a little spicy. It’s a restaurant-quality pasta that’s quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.

The combination of smoky Cajun spices, juicy chicken, and rich Alfredo sauce makes it a must-try recipe that will likely become one of your regular dinner favorites.

Print Recipe

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Author: admin Cuisine: American, Italian Courses: Dinner, Lunch, Pasta

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 700 kcal

Description

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a bold and creamy twist on the Italian-American classic. It combines the silky richness of Alfredo sauce with the smoky, spicy kick of Cajun seasoning.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g)
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz (340 g)
• 1 tsp salt (for boiling water)

For the Alfredo Sauce:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the Pasta : Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook fettuccine until al dente (8–10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
2. Step 2: Cook the Chicken : Pat chicken dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
3. Step 3: Make the Cajun Alfredo Sauce : In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.Pour in heavy cream, simmer 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.Add 1 tsp Cajun seasoning for flavor and a slight kick.
4. Step 4: Combine : Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed.Slice chicken and arrange on top of the creamy pasta.
5. Step 5: Serve : Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

Keywords: Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta