Cajun Chicken Alfredo

One of those recipes that feels like a restaurant flex but totally belongs in your weeknight dinner rotation. Spicy blackened chicken, garlicky cream sauce, and a motherload of parmesan…

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Step 1

Cold chicken straight from the fridge = uneven cooking. Let it hang out on the counter while you prep. Flatten each breast slightly for even searing.

Step 2

Drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil over the chicken, then rub in 4 tbsp of your Cajun seasoning (store-bought or your spicy homemade blend). Make sure it's fully coated and looking bronzed like it just got back from Cabo.

Step 3

Boil salted water and cook your fettuccine until just shy of al dente (check the box time, subtract a minute). Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and drizzle and toss with olive oil to prevent clumping.

Step 4

In a large pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tbsp of avocado oil. Once shimmering, add your chicken breasts and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until blackened and beautiful.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium-low, toss in 2 tbsp of butter and 4 minced garlic cloves. Let the butter melt and baste the chicken as it finishes cooking. Once fully cooked, remove and set aside. Resting = juicier chicken.

Step 6

In the same pan ( flavour central), for a little flair pour in ¼ cup of cooking oil and let it simmer for a minute to deglaze the pan. Melt the remaining butter (6 tablespoons) over medium heat. Add your minced garlic (6 to 8 cloves) and sauté for about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Add 2 cups of room temperature heavy cream (important so it doesn’t curdle). Stir and bring it to a low simmer, then toss in your Parmesan. Simmer for a couple of minutes while stirring until melted and smooth. As needed, loosen it with a bit of that reserved pasta water (I recommend around 1/3 cup) and simmer until your desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta directly to the sauce and toss to coat. Slice your rested chicken and lay it on top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy… or just extra Parmesan if you’re feeling real.

Step 9

HOMEMADE CAJUN SEASONING: If you want to make homemade Cajun seasoning: 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp black pepper, 1–2 tsp cayenne pepper (bring the heat 👀)