Cajun chicken Alfredo

Cajun chicken Alfredo

35 min
Our recipe for Cajun chicken Alfredo combines Southern charm with creamy Italian elegance. This wonderful dish features juicy, Cajun-seasoned chicken fillets with fettuccine and a creamy sauce. Perfect for livening up your midweek meals or wowing guests, this recipe adds an exciting twist to a well-loved classic.
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Instructions

  • Heat a large frying pan on high heat. Add oil and fry the chicken for 3–4 minutes on each side. When the chicken is halfway done, add the Cajun seasoning. Remove from the pan and season with salt and pepper.
  • Finely chop the garlic.
  • Take a medium-sized saucepan and place it on the stove over medium heat. Add butter to the pan and let it melt, then add garlic and let it fry for about 30 seconds. Add the cooking cream and lemon juice and simmer for about 10–12 minutes until the mixture has a creamy consistency.
  • Grate the Parmesan into the sauce and add the cream cheese. Blend with an immersion blender and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet in lightly salted water. Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and add the sauce to the pot. Let it simmer for a few minutes until everything has a delicious and creamy consistency.
  • Finally, add the paprika and stir it in.
  • Serve with slices of chicken on top of the pasta. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about Cajun chicken Alfredo

Preparing a delicious Cajun chicken Alfredo is simple and straightforward. With these answers to the most common questions, you can learn more about the dish.

Is Cajun chicken Alfredo spicy?
The Cajun chicken Alfredo has a moderate spice level due to the Cajun seasoning. For a milder flavour, you can reduce the seasoning. If you like it spicier, add more seasoning. You can even make your own Cajun spice blend, which gives you control over the level of spiciness.
How can I make a homemade Cajun seasoning?
To make Cajun seasoning at home, combine the following spices: 2 tablespoons each of oregano, paprika (smoked or plain), garlic powder, and onion powder. Then add 1 tablespoon each of thyme, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. For extra heat, include ½ tablespoon of red pepper flakes. It makes for a large batch, so just use 1–2 tablespoons for your dish and store the remainder for future use.
Can I freeze Cajun chicken Alfredo?
Yes, you can freeze Cajun chicken Alfredo — even though the taste and texture may change slightly. Place the dish in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, then reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce's creamy texture and prevent the pasta from becoming too dry.

Ingredients

Chicken breast fillets
500 g
Unflavoured oil
10 ml
Cajun spice
4 tbsp
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Garlic cloves
3
Arla® LactoFREE Slightly Salted Spreadable
30 g
Cooking cream
1 l
Lemon
1
Parmesan cheese
100 g
Cream cheese
100 g
Fettuccine
500 g
Salt
1 tbsp
Paprika
1 tbsp
To serve
Broad-leaf fresh parsley, as needed
Other recipes
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Tips: Improve your Cajun chicken Alfredo

We have a few tips that with help you improve your Cajun chicken Alfredo. Find out how to cook a delicious sauce, prepare the dish ahead of time, and store leftovers.

Save some pasta water for the sauce

Set aside some water after boiling your fettuccine. If your Alfredo sauce becomes too thick, add a bit of the starchy pasta water to help thin it, ensuring a smooth coating for each pasta strand. This water also helps when reheating your dish, maintaining the creaminess without watering down the flavour. Save about 250 ml of the water just before you drain your pasta, and add it bit by bit to the sauce as you mix it with your al dente fettuccine.

Prepare the dish ahead of time

Yes, you can prepare Cajun chicken Alfredo ahead of time. Cook the chicken and make the Alfredo sauce, then refrigerate them separately for up to four days. When ready to eat, gently warm the chicken and sauce, mix with freshly cooked pasta, and add some pasta water to get the right sauce consistency.

Store leftovers properly

Keep your Cajun chicken Alfredo fresh by storing any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will stay good for up to four days. If you can, store the sauce and pasta separately to stop the pasta from soaking up too much sauce and going soft. When it is time to reheat, warm it slowly on the stove or in the microwave, and add a bit of pasta water to make the sauce creamy again.

Whip up a spicy Cajun chicken Alfredo

Cajun chicken Alfredo is an excellent dish when you want to enjoy a meal that is both spicy and creamy. It brings together the best of both worlds, as it combines spicy Cajun seasoning and Italian culinary tradition. Only a few main ingredients make up the dish. Succulent chicken breast fillets seasoned with Cajun spice are joined by tender fettuccine and a creamy Alfredo sauce. Sprinkle on a little extra Parmesan cheese and enjoy a comfort classic with a spicy twist.

Are you searching for more delicious recipes that pair pasta and meat with a creamy sauce? Try our recipes for creamy steak fettuccine, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, or tasty salmon and leek pasta.

Tender chicken seasoned with warm Cajun spices

The succulent flavours of the chicken breast fillets come from being seasoned with Cajun seasoning, a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and various herbs. Searing the chicken not only creates a caramelised, crispy crust but also keeps the inside meat deliciously juicy. This savoury chicken, with its smoky and spicy notes, pairs wonderfully with the rich, cheesy sauce.

Creamy sauce with Parmesan, cream cheese, and cooking cream

While a classic Alfredo sauce is cheesy and creamy, our recipe adds an extra layer of indulgence. We start by adding cooking cream and lemon juice to melted butter to create a rich base with a hint of tanginess. Parmesan cheese is then slowly grated into the mixture, thickening the sauce and infusing it with its nutty, savoury nuances. The secret weapon is cream cheese, which not only lends a luscious texture but also adds a vital layer of tanginess to round out the flavour.

Tailor the dish to your palate

Feeling creative? Personalise the Cajun chicken Alfredo by swapping out ingredients with ones that are more to your liking. Instead of chicken, try using shrimp. Shrimp is also a common ingredient in Cajun cuisine and works wonderfully with creamy fettuccine. Sauté the shrimp with the same Cajun seasoning until they are pink and cooked through. You can also experiment with tofu. Simply press and cube the tofu and then sauté it with the Cajun seasoning until crispy.

If these changes are too significant, you can always include a few vegetables. Stir in fresh spinach at the end of cooking for a burst of earthy flavour and green colour. Sautéing red pepper or mushrooms is also a great option. While the red pepper adds a sweet, colourful touch, the mushrooms provide an earthy flavour that pairs well with the creamy sauce.

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