This gluten-free Blackened chicken alfredo combines the tender, juicy chicken and rich, creamy sauce of classic chicken alfredo with the zesty kick of Cajun seasoning to create a delicious mashup of flavors that will have everyone coming back for more.
Creamy pasta dishes have always been some of my favorite recipes. I love combining tender, juicy meats with super-creamy and cheesy sauces for hearty meals. I took the sensibilities of recipes like my steak pasta alfredo and dairy-free chicken alfredo and combined them with the big kick of flavor you get from Cajun seasoning, and the results are AH-mazing.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Blackened Chicken Alfredo Recipe
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo Video
- Ingredients
- Flavor Variations
- How to Make This Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
- Hint
- Storage
- What to Serve with Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Tips for the Best Cajun Blackened Chicken Alfredo
- More Delicious, Creamy Pasta Recipes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love This Blackened Chicken Alfredo Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe is made with simple kitchen staples.
- Easy: This recipe is straightforward and ready in about 30 minutes.
- Rich and Creamy: The alfredo sauce is super rich, creamy, and cheesy.
- Bold Flavor: The Cajun seasoning adds a big kick of flavor to the chicken and the sauce.
Blackened Chicken Alfredo Video
Ingredients
Chicken
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: I prefer Springer Mount Farms chicken breasts because they're antibiotic and hormone-free, all-natural, and are fed a diet free of animal byproducts.
- Seasonings: A blend of Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper gives the chicken a big, bold flavor.
Alfredo Sauce
- Butter and Flour: Butter and gluten-free flour create a roux that thickens the alfredo sauce.
- Heavy Cream and Chicken Broth: Heavy cream gives the sauce its rich, creamy texture, while chicken broth adds more flavor and helps thin it out just enough to be absolute perfection.
- Seasonings: Cajun seasoning, oregano, basil, and pepper give the sauce a Cajun kick with Italian flair.
- Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese: These cheeses combine to make the sauce extra rich and cheesy and add even more flavor.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Flavor Variations
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the chicken and pasta seasonings for a bigger kick of heat.
- Chicken: You could make this with pork, beef, or even shrimp, as well.
- Pasta: Use your preferred pasta for this recipe. Everything from fettuccine to short, textured noodles will work.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant butter and cream for a gluten and dairy-free version of this recipe.
How to Make This Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
Chicken
1: Boil the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta water.
2: Combine the chicken seasonings in a small bowl. Then, thoroughly coat both sides of the chicken breasts with the mixture.
3: Sear the chicken on medium for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Then, flip the chicken, reduce the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
4: Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and set aside.
Sauce
1: Melt the butter in the same pan and add the minced onion and pasta seasonings. Then, cook until fragrant.
2: Add the flour and stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan. Then, add the chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
3: Add the cheeses and stir until completely melted. Then, continue cooking, stirring occasionally until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
4: Add the pasta and toss to coat evenly. Thin out the sauce with a bit of the pasta water if necessary.
5: Slice the chicken breasts and either serve them on top of the past or mix them into it. Enjoy!
Hint
A meat thermometer is the absolute best way to ensure your chicken is safe and also not overcooked, avoiding either partially raw or dried out chicken.
Storage
Refrigerate this chicken alfredo for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
To reheat the dish, microwave it at 30-second intervals until heated through.
What to Serve with Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Because this is such a rich dinner, I recommend keeping things light. Serve it with sides like a simple salad, asparagus, or squash and zucchini.
I also like to serve a lighter dessert after this meal. Treats like pretzel chocolate chip cookies, walnut butter cookies, or cinnamon pound cake are all excellent options.
Tips for the Best Cajun Blackened Chicken Alfredo
- Be sure to pat your chicken dry before coating it with the seasonings so they stick to it more readily.
- When searing your chicken, flip it once. It needs time to get a good sear.
- Cook the noodles to al dente and no further. They can break up if they're too soft when added to the sauce.
- Pasta water is the best way to thin out the sauce if needed. It adds more moisture, while the starch in the water maintains the rich, creamy texture of the sauce.
More Delicious, Creamy Pasta Recipes
- Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
- Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Bacon Mushroom Pasta
- Cajun Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Frequently Asked Questions
Blackened meat of any kind refers to cooking seasoned meat on a skillet, a grill, or in the oven until the exterior is very dark brown to almost black. It's not burned.
Cajun seasoning is made with a mix of black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
Fettuccine is the classic pairing, but spaghetti will work, as well. You can even use short, textured noodles to make eating it easier.
The only real way to ensure your chicken is done to perfection is by using a meat thermometer. This helps avoid undercooked chicken, which can be dangerous, or overcooked chicken, which can be dry. When the temperature registers 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast, it's done!
Related
★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below! I would love to hear back from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok for more delicious recipes.
📖 Recipe
Blackened Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
Blackened Chicken
- 12 oz chicken breast
- 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- ⅓ teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Alfredo Sauce
- 12 oz gluten-free pasta of your choice
- ¼ cup pasta water reserved
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon minced onion
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic pepper
- 1 tablespoon 1:1 gluten free flour
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese shredded
- 4 oz parmesan cheese
Instructions
Blackened Chicken
- Boil the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Then drain it and set it aside, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta water.
- Combine the Cajun seasoning, smoked sweet paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Coat both sides of the chicken evenly with the spice mixture.
- Preheat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side.
- Flip the seared chicken once more, lower the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and continue cooking the chicken for 5 to 10 minutes until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees. Then, transfer it to a cutting board.
Alfredo Sauce
- Melt the butter in the same pan, then add the minced onion, Cajun seasoning, oregano, basil, salt, and garlic pepper.
- Simmer the onions and seasonings for about a minute until fragrant. Then, add the flour and stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan.
- Add the heavy cream and chicken broth and whisk well. Then, cook, whisking continuously, until a thick, creamy sauce forms.
- Add the mozzarella and parmesan cheese to the sauce and mix until completely melted. Continue cooking until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the pasta and toss well to coat it evenly. If necessary, thin the sauce with 1 tablespoon of pasta water at a time.
- Slice the chicken breasts and add them on top of the pasta or mix them into the pasta. Enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Freezing is not recommended for creamy sauces like this.
- To reheat the pasta, cook it on medium-low in a saucepan until heated through or microwave it at 30-second intervals until heated through.
- When rinsing chicken, hold it as close to the bottom of the sink as possible and use a gentle stream of water to avoid splashing as much as possible.
- Wash the sink and counters immediately after rinsing the chicken.
- You can rinse the pasta in cold water after cooking it to ensure it isn't overdone when added to the sauce.
Claudia says
This blackened chicken Alfredo is so good! The creamy pasta pairs perfectly with the spicy chicken, making it a dinner I’ll definitely make again.
Oscar says
This blackened chicken alfredo came out so flavorful—the perfect mix of spice and richness. I’ll be making it again soon!
Kim says
This recipe was outstanding. My whole family loved it.
swathi iyer says
Blackened chicken alfredo is delicious I enjoyed as my dinner with some homemade soup.
Juyali says
Made this for dinner last night, and it was restaurant-quality delicious!
Yum. A 10/10 and will make it again. Thanks. 🙂
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Elizabeth says
Incredible flavor! This recipe was a hit at dinner and my family asked for seconds. So creamy and flavorful!