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Creamy Cajun chicken fettuccine alfredo simmering with golden spiced chicken and melted parmesan cream

Creamy Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Tender, juicy pan-seared Cajun spiced chicken breasts sliced over ribbons of al dente fettuccine, coated in a luscious, velvety garlic parmesan cream sauce. A 30-minute restaurant-quality skillet dinner!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun, Italian
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Golden Cajun Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts halved horizontally into thin cutlets
  • 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, cayenne
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Pasta & Velvety Cajun Garlic Alfredo Sauce
  • 10 oz fettuccine or penne pasta cooked al dente
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken bone broth 100% alcohol-free pan deglazing
  • 1.25 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tsp extra Cajun seasoning to infuse the cream sauce
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, lightly blistered
  • 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley finely chopped for garnish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cook fettuccine in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (1 to 2 minutes less than package instructions). Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Pat chicken cutlets bone-dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cutlets in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes per side until blackened, deeply golden, and cooked through (165°F / 74°C). Transfer to a cutting board to rest.
  4. Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt butter in the skillet drippings, add minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes, and sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant and blistered.
  5. Pour in low-sodium chicken broth, scraping up all flavorful blackened Cajun fond bits from the skillet bottom. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until reduced slightly.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of additional Cajun seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer, then whisk in freshly grated parmesan cheese until completely smooth and velvety.
  7. Toss the drained fettuccine directly into the simmering Cajun alfredo sauce, stirring gently for 1 to 2 minutes until every ribbon is richly coated (add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen).
  8. Slice the rested Cajun chicken into strips and arrange over the creamy pasta. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, extra parmesan shavings, and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 42gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 580mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 890IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

For extra heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to the cream sauce before tossing with pasta.

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