Description
Blackened Chicken Alfredo is a bold and creamy pasta dish featuring Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts seared to perfection and served over fettuccine tossed in a rich garlic Parmesan Alfredo sauce. This comforting recipe delivers smoky spice, tender chicken, and a velvety homemade cream sauce for a restaurant-quality meal ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and coat both sides evenly with Cajun seasoning, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes per side until blackened and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the Alfredo sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.
- Slice the rested blackened chicken into strips and place over the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest Alfredo sauce texture.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken to achieve a proper blackened crust.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to control the spice level.
- If reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.
- For extra flavor, add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg