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Flavorful One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta - featured image
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A creamy, spicy, and comforting one-pot Cajun chicken Alfredo pasta that comes together quickly for an easy and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta, broken in half
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms or bell peppers

Instructions

  1. Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium, add more oil if needed, and sauté minced garlic (and optional mushrooms or bell peppers) for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add broken pasta and chicken broth to the pan. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream and butter to the pasta pot. Stir gently until butter melts and cream thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Return the seared chicken to the pot along with grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce coats pasta and chicken evenly. Add salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or cream.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Let pasta rest for 2 minutes to thicken further.

Notes

If sauce feels thin, simmer uncovered for 1-2 minutes to thicken. Avoid overcooking pasta to keep a slight bite. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting. Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or zoodles. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, Alfredo pasta, one-pot meal, creamy pasta, spicy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight recipe

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/flavorful-one-pot-cajun-chicken-alfredo-pasta-easy-recipe-for-creamy-dinner/