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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

creamy one-pot Cajun chicken Alfredo pasta - featured image
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A rich, spicy, and silky one-pot Cajun chicken Alfredo pasta that is quick and easy to make, perfect for weeknights or dinner guests. This creamy dish balances smoky Cajun spices with a velvety Alfredo sauce coating tender pasta and chicken.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil or butter (additional for garlic sauté)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine or linguine pasta (break strands to fit pot)
  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice
  • Optional dairy-free substitutions: canned coconut milk for heavy cream, nutritional yeast for Parmesan
  • Optional: olive oil or butter for sautéing

Instructions

  1. Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter 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 and add another teaspoon of oil or butter if needed. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and 1 ½ cups heavy cream. Stir in 8 ounces of uncooked pasta, breaking strands if necessary. Stir well to prevent sticking.
  5. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes to keep pasta from sticking and check liquid levels. Pasta should be tender and sauce thickened.
  6. Add the cooked chicken back to the pan along with ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir thoroughly and cook for another 3-5 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce is creamy and thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top before serving. Optionally, add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen it. If watery, simmer uncovered a few more minutes. Stir regularly to prevent pasta from sticking and sauce from clumping. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting texture. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. If no lid is available, cover pan with a baking sheet or foil to trap steam.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken Alfredo, one-pot pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, Cajun seasoning, comfort food, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/creamy-one-pot-cajun-chicken-alfredo-pasta-recipe-easy-and-delicious/