Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
A rich and velvety one-pot Cajun chicken Alfredo with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked fettuccine, delivering comfort with a spicy kick in about 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta, broken in half
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning until well coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer until golden brown on all sides but not fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium, add butter and minced garlic to the same pan. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute, avoiding burning the garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add broken fettuccine noodles in an even layer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is nearly al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- Nestle seared chicken pieces back into the pot. Stir gently and cook for 3-4 minutes to finish cooking chicken and meld flavors.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Slowly stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Stir continuously until cheese melts and sauce thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper sparingly, taste, and adjust Cajun seasoning if desired. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
Break pasta in half before cooking for even cooking. Stir gently but often to prevent sticking and clumping. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen. For juicier chicken, use thighs instead of breasts. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. To avoid grainy sauce, stir continuously when adding cream and cheese and keep heat medium-low.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 675
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Cajun chicken Alfredo, one-pot pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, Cajun seasoning, fettuccine Alfredo, quick weeknight meal