Imagine a dish that combines the bold, fiery kick of Cajun seasoning with the luxurious creaminess of classic Alfredo – all prepared in a single pan with minimal cleanup! This One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta is about to become your new weeknight dinner obsession. Whether you're craving a quick, restaurant-quality meal or looking to impress your family with minimal effort, this recipe promises to deliver maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Get ready to transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Cajun
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by dicing chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces and measuring out all ingredients beforehand.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Season diced chicken with cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Add seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove cooked chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate, keeping warm.
- In the same skillet, add fettuccine pasta and pour in heavy cream, ensuring pasta is mostly submerged.
- Bring liquid to a gentle simmer and cook pasta for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente and cream has started to thicken.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and sauce becomes creamy.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and gently fold into the creamy pasta, ensuring everything is well combined and heated through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or cajun seasoning if needed.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to further thicken before serving.
- Serve hot, garnishing with additional parmesan cheese or chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- Prep is Key: Dice your chicken uniformly to ensure even cooking and have all ingredients measured before you start.
- High-Heat Searing: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven to get a perfect golden-brown sear on the chicken, which locks in flavor and creates delicious caramelization.
- Pasta Perfection: Stir frequently while cooking pasta in cream to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The starch from the pasta will help naturally thicken the sauce.
- Cheese Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect sauce texture.
- Seasoning Secrets: Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice tolerance. Start with less and add more if needed – you can always increase heat, but can't take it away!
- Rest and Thicken: Letting the dish sit for a few minutes after cooking allows the sauce to reach the perfect creamy consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 865kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 32g
Fat: 39g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: 166mg
