Description
This One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a deliciously creamy and spicy pasta dish that combines tender chicken seasoned with Cajun spices, rich Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta all in one pot for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Cooking Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
Liquid Ingredients
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning Extras
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: In a large pot or deep skillet, toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning until they are evenly coated. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, add the chicken, and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and diced onion. Cook them for 2 to 3 minutes until they become fragrant and softened, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine thoroughly. Add the uncooked pasta to the pot and bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Simmer Pasta: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the liquid has thickened into a creamy sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper as needed.
- Serve: Dish out the Cajun Chicken Alfredo hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy this hearty, flavorful one-pot meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- For added flavor and color, stir in fresh spinach or sun-dried tomatoes towards the end of cooking.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
