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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo

Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo - featured image
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A quick and cozy one-pot meal combining creamy Alfredo sauce with smoky Cajun spices, perfect for easy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and toss with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the butter-garlic mixture and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
  5. Slowly whisk in chicken broth to avoid lumps, then add heavy cream and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens, stirring often.
  6. Add uncooked penne pasta to the sauce, nestling pieces so they are mostly submerged. Partially cover with a lid and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check pasta at 10 minutes for al dente texture.
  7. Return cooked chicken to the pot and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Add extra broth or cream if sauce is too thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for better browning. Stir roux well to avoid grainy sauce. Simmer sauce gently to prevent cream from curdling. Taste pasta often to avoid overcooking. Add extra broth or cream if sauce thickens too much. Use gluten-free flour and pasta for gluten-free version. Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for lighter sauce or coconut cream for dairy-free.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/creamy-one-pot-cajun-chicken-alfredo-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/