Description
Indulge in this flavorful Blackened Chicken Alfredo, featuring tender blackened chicken atop creamy pasta with a rich, savory Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blackened Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for desired heat level)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken:
- Prep the chicken: Butterfly each chicken breast by cutting horizontally through the middle, creating two thinner pieces. Place each piece between plastic wrap and gently pound to even thickness (about ½-inch).
- Make the blackening seasoning: In a small bowl, combine paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Season the chicken: by brushing both sides of each piece with melted butter, then coat generously with blackening seasoning, pressing lightly to ensure it sticks.
- Heat the skillet: Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until it’s very hot (about 5-7 minutes). You want it smoking hot for proper blackening.
- Cook the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The exterior should be dark and crusty, but not burnt.Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Making the Alfredo Sauce:
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Start the sauce: While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).
- Add cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil). Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add cheese: Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with black pepper, nutmeg (if using), and salt to taste.
- Combine: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Slice and serve: Slice the rested chicken against the grain into strips. Serve the pasta topped with sliced blackened chicken and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
Variations
- Vegetable additions: Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers to the alfredo sauce.
- Protein swaps: Try blackened shrimp or salmon instead of chicken.
- Pasta options: Swap fettuccine for linguine, pappardelle, or even penne.
- Spice levels: Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to make it milder or spicier.
- Cajun style: Add andouille sausage slices along with the blackened chicken for an extra Cajun twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: pasta
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: blackened chicken alfredo