If you started making Cajun Chicken Alfredo for everyone in your neighborhood, you’d probably put every restaurant in the area out of business.
This is one of those recipes that fills you soul with love and cheese. It’s warm and creamy and cheesy and just so very delicious.
In fact, on my “days off” when I cook for fun with no regard to where the light in my living room is, I make this. I made it yesterday for my in-laws while in town for Christmas, and I’m making it for my own parents tomorrow.
Ingredients
Salt
1 pound penne or other small pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets
2-3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (see notes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups (8 ounces) Wisconsin parmesan cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper.
How to Make It
Heat oven to 200°F. In large pot, bring 4 quarts salted water to boil.
Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving cooking water. Set pasta aside.
Return cooking water to boil. Add broccoli; boil until just tender and bright green, about 2 minutes. Plunge immediately into bowl of ice water. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, sprinkle both sides of chicken generously with Cajun seasoning.
In large skillet, heat oil until shimmering. Arrange chicken in single layer and sauté, flipping once, until temperature on internal thermometer reaches 155°F, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from skillet, cover with foil and transfer to oven to keep warm.
Wipe skillet with paper towel and return to stove. Over medium-high heat, melt butter and heat until foaming. Stir in garlic; sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Whisk in wine; bring to simmer. Simmer until sauce has reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
Whisk in cream; simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Fold in parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Add reserved pasta to skillet and toss gently to coat. Arrange broccoli over pasta; top with chicken and garnish with additional parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes:
To make your own Cajun Seasoning: Combine 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon black pepper, 1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme and 1/2 tablespoon onion powder.
To get a head start: The pasta can be cooked in advance, refrigerated and refreshed in hot water just before serving. The broccoli can be blanched and shocked in ice water in advance; simply store in refrigerator in cold water. The Cajun seasoning can be made anytime.