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Flavorful Cajun Chicken Alfredo Recipe Easy Creamy Sauce Dinner

Cajun Chicken Alfredo - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy chicken Alfredo with a spicy Cajun twist, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. This dish features tender chicken strips in a rich, silky sauce that clings to fettuccine pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), sliced into strips
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115 g)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 oz fettuccine or linguine (225 g), cooked al dente
  • Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley or green onions, red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken with the Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 oz fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente (about 10 minutes). Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet and melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 4 oz softened cream cheese. Whisk continuously until cream cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
  6. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and mix into the sauce. Add cooked pasta and toss gently to coat evenly.
  8. Let everything warm together for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

If cream cheese is unavailable, Greek yogurt can be used off the heat to avoid curdling. For gluten-free, substitute pasta with gluten-free noodles or zucchini ribbons. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan. Add reserved pasta water gradually to adjust sauce thickness. Avoid burning garlic by adding it just before cream. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of cream or milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, Alfredo, creamy sauce, quick dinner, spicy pasta, fettuccine, easy recipe

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/flavorful-cajun-chicken-alfredo-recipe-easy-creamy-sauce-dinner/