• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Recipes
  • Spring
  • About

Craving Some Creativity logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Home Tour
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Free Email Series
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Published: Apr 13, 2022 · Modified: Jan 7, 2023 by Rachel

    Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
    1602 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Cajun Chicken Alfredo pasta is quick, easy and always receives rave reviews. An authentic Blackened chicken creates a charred, boldly seasoned, and succulent dish that wakes up the comforting, classic creamy alfredo sauce for a restaurant quality flavor. Plus, this skillet dinner recipe is ready in under 30 minutes!

    Creamy Cajun Chicken Alfredo with broccoli and shredded Parmesan in white bowl.
    Contents show
    1 Ingredients and Notes
    2 How to Make Cajun Blackened Chicken
    3 Homemade Alfredo Sauce Tips
    4 More Delicious Recipes
    5 Frequently asked questions
    6 Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Chicken and pasta are of the modern-day household. These versatile ingredients are the foundation of many of our family weeknight favorites like Bruschetta Chicken and Chicken Marsala.

    Like all of my family’s cherished Cajun recipes, Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta is homemade classic prepared with love and flavor, but not 5 alarm spicy. Fiery New Orleans style Blackened Chicken is tempered down to a smooth warmth thanks to the rich Alfredo-style cream sauce. It’s just the right kick of flavor to give the palate a welcome wakeup call.

    This is a recipe that I have been making for years and years, so it’s thoroughly tested with never-fail tips. It’s not a mystery why this recipe is one of my son’s all-time favorites. Plus, it’s ready in about 30 minutes and, ahem, better than restaurant quality!

    Ingredients and Notes

    Here is an overview of the cajun spice ingredients you will need.

    Spice bottles laid out with spoons on a wood background.

    If you are in a pinch, pre-made cajun seasoning is pretty adequate, although it is harder to control the level of heat for your tastes.

    While cast iron griddle like this is my preferred method, a sauté skillet will work. Or you can make it on an outdoor gas grill for the same effect – a charcoal grill doesn’t get hot enough.

    How to Make Cajun Blackened Chicken

    It’s the method of cooking that makes this recipe very special. The high heat of this cooking method seals in the juices and really wakes up the spice mixture in a way that’s not easily duplicated by other methods. Seriously, it’s amazing!

    The key is using a cast iron skillet and medium-high to high heat. Wait for the pan to get really good and hot before adding the butter and chicken. You get incredibly flavorful chicken, juicy, and crisp on the outside. No marinating at all!

    Blackened Chicken Recipe- Cajun spices mix together with a special cooking technique for blackening to make a chicken breast that is bold and juicy.

    Pound out the chicken breast to a ½-¾ inch thickness, and season generously with the spice mixture. Make sure the pan is heated up well and then add the butter and chicken.

    Why don’t I put blackened seasoning in the sauce? There are almost 3 Tablespoons of seasoning on the chicken. Blackening is a specific process that wakes up the spices differently than just adding it to the sauce. When you plate it up, that delicious bold seasoning is going to transfer all through the creamy sauce. I don’t find it necessary to have the entire dish taste homogonous, but your preference is the one that matters. Consider adding 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mixture to the alfredo sauce when you add the garlic and season the chicken less.

    Homemade Alfredo Sauce Tips

    The best part of this Alfredo sauce is that it’s so simple with just 5 ingredients.

    • The sauce should be just bubbling when you add the cheese. The cheese can get a grainy, coagulated texture if it is too hot.
    • I like my sauce to stick to the noodles, but not drown in it. If you like lots of alfredo, consider doubling the sauce ingredients. You can double or triple the recipe without consequence.
    • Use freshly grated parmesan cheese, not pre-shredded. Not only is it cheaper by weight, but it also has a better texture melted into the sauce. Make sure to grate it as finely as possible so that it melts evenly.
    • I am not a fan of garlic, so this is optional. The rest of the family loves it in their pasta, however.
    Easy Cajun Chicken Alfredo pasta with homemade Alfredo sauce with broccoli and shredded parmesan in skillet

    More Delicious Recipes

    Yummy solutions to get dinner on the table tonight!

    • Blackened Chicken
    • Shrimp Etouffee {My Louisiana Family Recipe}
    • Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
    • Chicken Marsala Pasta

    Frequently asked questions

    Can this recipe be doubled if my family prefers a saucier pasta?

    Absolutely! This sauce recipe can be doubled or even tripled with the same ingredient ratios if you prefer more sauce.

    Can I swap out or add a different vegetable instead of broccoli?

    You can add whichever vegetables you prefer. Choose the vegetables and just steam, grill, or sauté them in a little bit of butter before adding to the pasta. Some ideas that I like are:

    Sauteed Mushrooms
    Sauteed Red Peppers
    Grilled Zucchini
    Diced Tomatoes
    Green Onions

    What is alfredo made of?

    Classic Alfredo Sauce is a simple but rich and creamy, white sauce. Commonly served over noodles, it is made from butter, cream, and parmesan cheese. Seasonings such as garlic, cajun spices, and other types of cheese are often blended in to make unique flavors. It goes well with chicken, fish, and shellfish such as shrimp or lobster.

    Blackened Chicken Alfredo pasta in bowl with recipe title.

    Cookbook cover of Chicken and Rice casserole. The cookbook is titled Weeknight Supper Solutions

    Not Sure
    What's For Dinner?

    Signup for recipe updates and get a free cookbook of Easy Weeknight Supper Solutions!

    More Delicious Pasta Recipes for the Family

    Beef Cannelloni being pulled out of pan with melted mozzarella cheese stringing.
    Beef Cannelloni
    Closeup of chicken marsala pasta from the side.
    Chicken Marsala Pasta
    Bruschetta pasta with chicken in a rimmed bowl and topped with balsamic glaze.
    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
    Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Sausage makes an easy italian meal for the whole family!
    Stuffed Shells

    PS. If you make this recipe, leave a COMMENT AND A STAR RATING in the comments section at the bottom and be sure to take a photo and tag it #cravingcreative on Instagram! I appreciate you for taking the time to read about me and my family recipes. 

    Cajun chicken alfredo pasta in a bowl with parmesan and broccoli on top.

    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    This Cajun Chicken Alfredo pasta is quick, easy, and always receives rave reviews. Authentic blackened chicken creates a charred, boldly seasoned, and succulent dish that wakes up the comforting, classic creamy alfredo sauce for a restaurant quality flavor.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: new orleans
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 980kcal
    Author: Rachel

    Equipment

    • 1 Skillet Cast iron is preferred, but the chicken can be cooked in a regular skillet or on a gas grill.

    Ingredients

    Cajun Chicken

    • 2 Chicken Breast
    • 1 tablespoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper This is 3 pepper spicy rating. Add more or less depending on your heat preferene.
    • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ½ teaspoon  Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Dried Thyme 
    • ½ teaspoon Oregano
    • ½ teaspoon White Pepper  black pepper can be substituted
    • 1 tablespoon butter

    Alfredo Pasta

    • 8 oz fettuccine pasta
    • 6 tablespoon butter
    • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 2 cups Parmesan, freshly grated
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 3 cups broccoli, cut into florets red and green peppers, mushrooms, and green onions are also great additions

    Instructions

    • Stir all seasonings together in a small dish. Pound chicken to about ½-3/4 inch thickness and pat dry. Liberally season on both sides with the seasoning mixture. Set aside until ready to cook.
    • In a large pot, cook fettuccine pasta as directed on package. Drain and set aside.
    • * See Note for alternative if you don't have a steamer. In a large pot, add an inch of water and bring to a rolling boil. Place a steamer basket inside the pot and add the broccoli. Cover, turn the heat down to a medium-low, and cook for 6-10 minutes, until the broccoli is tender.
    • Melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet, preferrably cast iron, over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Chicken should be dark brownish-black on the outside and cooked through, but still moist. The skillet may smoke during the blackening process. Don't be alarmed! Allow the chicken to rest uncut while the sauce is making.
    • In a large, deep skillet, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add in minced garlic and sauté one minute until golden and fragrant. Slowly add in the cream and stir until well combined. Stir occassionally and bring to a bubbling boil, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
    • While the sauce is thickened and still bubbling, add in Parmesan cheese, ½ cup at a time, whisking vigorously between additions very well. Reduce heat to low after the cheese has completed melted. Stir frequently to keep the cheese from scorching.
    • In a small bowl, add ¼ cup of cream sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Mix until smooth and without lumps. Add cornstarch mixture into sauce and stir until well combined.
    • Mix noodles into sauce and heat up to warm. Plate with broccoli and chicken pieces on top. Sprinkle additional shredded parmesan as desired.

    Notes

    Substitutions and Equiptment
    • If you don’t have a steamer, you can easily use these steamer bags in your microwave.
    • You can substitute 2 Tablespoons of store-bought Cajun seasoning, but the homemade version has more flavor, and you can control the heat level better.
    • I always make this in a cast iron skillet because of the smoke and high heat. However, you can make the chicken over a gas grill or in a regular skillet.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2cups | Calories: 980kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Sodium: 1005mg | Potassium: 1200mg | Sugar: 4g | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @CravingCreative or tag #CravingSomeCreativity!
    « How To Waterproof Fabric
    DIY Outdoor Farmhouse Table »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Rhiannon says

      April 01, 2021 at 8:35 pm

      5 stars
      .

      Reply
    2. Megan says

      March 25, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      Love!

      Reply
    3. Caroline says

      September 13, 2020 at 9:22 am

      5 stars
      Crave-worthy!

      Reply
    4. Color Switch says

      October 17, 2018 at 3:40 am

      5 stars
      I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Headshot of Rachel Beach, the author of Craving Some Creativity.

    Hi, I'm Rachel!

    Creativity makes me energized and fearless. My husband and I have been renovating homes for over a decade and love to share our passion for all things home. Follow along for remodeling tutorials, recipes, and entertaining ideas sure to inspire!

    More about me →


    Popular Projects

    • Midnight blue vanity with brass handles in a grey and white bathroom.
      How to Paint a Bathroom Cabinet the Easy Way
    • Man holding up baseboards for a corner.
      How To Caulk Baseboards like a Pro
    • Behr Midnight blue painted cabinets in a classic old world kitchen with modern white accents and backsplash. Wicker chairs, copper light fixtures, and wood floors add warmth.
      The Best Blue and Navy Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors
    • Organized linen closet with white towels and grey bins on wire shelves.
      How To Beautifully Organize Your Linen Closet
    • White painted kitchen cabinets with stainless drawer pulls.
      How To Paint Cabinets with a Sprayer
    • Completed oak painted stair railing with black handrail and white balusters.
      How to Paint Stair Railings that Last

    Featured On

    Collection of Expert Features including Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Angie's List, This Old House Magazine, The Huffington Post, Delish, Wayfair, and Real Simple Magazine.

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Restaurant style Mexican white Cheese Dip with pico de gallo topping in wooden bowl on dish cloth with chips.
      Mexican White Cheese Dip {Queso Blanco}
    • Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Sausage makes an easy italian meal for the whole family!
      The BEST Sausage Stuffed Shells
    • Strawberry Poppyseed salad on a platter with blueberries, mandarin oranges, pecans, red onions, and grilled chicken.
      Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (Panera Copycat)
    • Closeup of blueberry muffins on a table.
      Ultimate Lemon Blueberry Muffins
    • Shrimp etouffee in a bowl on a table.
      Shrimp Etouffee {My Louisiana Family Recipe}
    • Two glasses of blackberry sangria with straws on a wood background.
      Blackberry Sangria – Amazing Summer Cocktail Recipe

    Sweet Spring Recipes

    • Stack of lemon bars on parchment paper with top lemon shortbread having a bite removed.
      Lemon Bars
    • Slice of homemade carrot cake on a plate with walnuts sprinkled on top
      Carrot Cake with Pineapple
    • Top down view of Southern Punch Bowl Cake in a trifle bowl.
      Southern Punch Bowl Cake (Potluck Dessert)
    • Key lime pie on blue plate with a slice cut out to show texture.
      Key Lime Pie
    • Strawberries on top of cheesecake layer and rice krispies crust.
      Cheesecake Rice Krispies Bars
    • Banana Chocolate chip muffins in a muffin tin with one muffin broken open to show texture.
      Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Favorites

    • Blog
    • Shop
    • Our Home

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 Craving Some Creativity