Blackened Cajun Chicken Alfredo (Print)

Savory blackened chicken and garlic Alfredo sauce unite with noodles for a rich, Cajun-inspired dinner.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta and Chicken

01 - 1 lb mafaldine noodles (or fettuccini/linguini noodles)
02 - 3 chicken breasts

→ Cooking Fats

03 - 4 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 6 tablespoons butter

→ Flavor Base

05 - 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 4 tablespoons blackened seasoning (see homemade recipe below)
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Sauce

08 - 2 cups heavy whipping cream
09 - 1.5 cups shredded parmesan cheese
10 - Optional: Reserved 1/3 cup pasta water

→ Homemade Blackened Seasoning

11 - 2 tablespoons smoked paprika (regular paprika works too)
12 - 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
13 - 1 tablespoon onion powder
14 - 2 teaspoons garlic powder
15 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
16 - 1 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
18 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

→ Serving Suggestions (Optional)

19 - Garlic bread, Texas toast, or garlic knots

# Steps:

01 - Pound chicken to an even thickness of 1/4 inch. Rub with olive oil and season liberally on both sides using 2-3 tablespoons of blackened seasoning.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes on one side until dark amber. Flip once, reduce heat to low, and add 2 tablespoons butter with 2 teaspoons minced garlic. Cook chicken for an additional 5-6 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached. Remove chicken, tent with foil, and rest before slicing.
03 - Using the same skillet, add remaining butter over medium heat until melted. Stir in the remaining minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add heavy cream and 2-3 teaspoons blackened seasoning. Simmer gently while allowing the sauce to thicken, approximately 5 minutes.
04 - While the sauce is simmering, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
05 - Add shredded parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until melted. Adjust seasoning to taste. Add reserved pasta water and stir to combine.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the alfredo sauce and mix to coat evenly. Top with sliced chicken and a sprinkle of blackened seasoning before serving. Serve with optional garlic bread, Texas toast, or garlic knots.

# Notes:

01 - Ensure chicken is pounded evenly to cook uniformly.
02 - Adjust the spice level of the blackened seasoning by reducing cayenne pepper if desired.

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