The Savory Blackened Chicken Alfredo Recipe You’ll Adore

Whipping up a mouth-watering blackened chicken alfredo can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Spices dance across tender chicken, creating a symphony of flavors that leap from the plate.

Creamy sauce coats perfectly seasoned meat, promising a delectable dining experience.

Rich parmesan and herbs weave through each bite, inviting you to savor every moment.

You love how simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary.

Impressive yet approachable, this dish brings restaurant-quality magic right to your kitchen.

Blackened Chicken Alfredo Ingredient Lineup

• Chicken Breasts: Juicy and tender protein for the dish.
• Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dried Thyme, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano: Spicy and flavorful blend for chicken seasoning.

• Butter: Rich and creamy base for the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Adds depth and helps with cooking.
• Heavy Cream: Smooth and luxurious sauce component.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese for extra flavor.
• Garlic: Aromatic and pungent.
• Nutmeg: Warm and subtle spice.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasoning to enhance overall taste.

• Pasta: Classic base for the dish.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid to help sauce consistency.
• Parsley: Fresh green herb for garnish.

How to Make Blackened Chicken Alfredo

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook pasta in boiling water following package instructions.

Keep a cup of pasta water for later use.

Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.

Step 2: Create Blackened Seasoning Blend

• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried thyme
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Oregano

Combine ingredients until well blended.

Step 3: Prepare Chicken for Cooking

Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.

Optional: slice breasts in half for faster cooking.

Brush with oil and coat both sides generously with prepared blackened seasoning.

Step 4: Cook Chicken to Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook chicken for 8-10 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked.

Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.

Step 5: Create Creamy Alfredo Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter.

Add olive oil and minced garlic, cooking until golden.

• Grated parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• Nutmeg
• Garlic powder

Whisk continuously until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add cooked pasta to the sauce.

Gradually mix in reserved pasta water until pasta is evenly coated and sauce reaches desired consistency.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Slice cooked chicken and place on top of sauced pasta.

Sprinkle fresh parsley for garnish.

Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious meal!

Handy Tips for Blackened Chicken Alfredo

• Ensure chicken breasts are completely dry before seasoning to achieve a crispy, flavorful exterior that locks in moisture and helps the spices adhere better.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the spice level, making the dish milder for sensitive palates or extra fiery for heat lovers.
• Reserve and use pasta water to create a silky, cohesive sauce that helps the parmesan cheese melt smoothly and prevents the alfredo from becoming too thick or dry.
• Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally to reduce cooking time and ensure even, quicker cooking without drying out the meat.
• Allow blackened chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain juices, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat when sliced and served over pasta.

Keeping and Warming Up Blackened Alfredo

• Store leftover blackened chicken Alfredo in an airtight container within 2 hours after cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Carefully transfer the pasta and chicken into freezer-safe containers, ensuring they're sealed tightly, and store for up to 2 months.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or cream to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Gently warm the chicken in the microwave using 30-second intervals, checking temperature to maintain tenderness and prevent overcooking.

What Goes Well with Blackened Chicken Alfredo

• Spice Up the Pairing: Match the blackened chicken's bold, smoky flavors with a crisp, cold lager or pale ale that cuts through the richness of the creamy alfredo sauce.
• Wine Harmony: Select a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Viognier, which complements the dish's creamy texture and balances the spicy blackened seasoning.
• Fresh Contrast: Add a light, zesty side salad with a tangy vinaigrette to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the heavy, creamy pasta and spicy chicken.
• Herbal Cool-Down: Serve with a sparkling cucumber mint water or light herbal iced tea to soothe the palate and refresh between bites of the spicy, creamy dish.

Style Swaps for Blackened Chicken Alfredo

• Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu, seasoned with the same blackened spice blend for a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Low-Carb Version: Use spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice instead of pasta, and substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a lighter, keto-friendly meal.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese, and replace heavy cream with cashew cream or unsweetened almond milk to create a creamy sauce without dairy.

FAQs

• What is blackened seasoning?

A blend of spices like paprika, garlic powder, thyme, cayenne, and black pepper that creates a flavorful, slightly spicy coating on meats, giving them a dark, crusty exterior when cooked.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great with this recipe. They’re often more tender and juicy, and they’ll absorb the blackened seasoning just as well as chicken breasts.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The blackened seasoning has a mild to moderate heat from cayenne pepper. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit the cayenne to make it milder.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken to ensure there’s no pink and the juices run clear.

What Makes Blackened Chicken Alfredo Stand Out

• Spice Up Your Dinner: Unleash bold, smoky flavors with the homemade blackened chicken seasoning that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Create a gourmet meal using just one skillet, saving you cleanup time and making weeknight cooking a breeze.
• Family-Friendly Comfort Food: Creamy Alfredo pasta topped with juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken guarantees a crowd-pleasing dinner that both kids and adults will devour with excitement.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust the seasoning's heat level by controlling the cayenne pepper, making this recipe adaptable for different spice preferences and dietary needs.

Blackened Chicken Alfredo Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Culinary magic blooms with this blackened chicken alfredo, blending bold Cajun spices and creamy pasta perfection. Rich, smoky flavors dance alongside silky sauce, promising a restaurant-worthy meal that delights every palate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 17.64 ounces (500 grams) Chicken breast, skinless, boneless

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 12 teaspoons Smoked paprika
• 12 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
• 12 teaspoons Dried thyme
• 12 teaspoons Dried oregano
• 12 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 12 teaspoons Onion powder
• 13 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 12 teaspoons Black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a flavorful blackened seasoning by combining smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and oregano in a small mixing bowl.
2. Thoroughly pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, optionally slicing them in half for quicker cooking.
3. Generously coat the chicken with oil and evenly sprinkle the prepared blackened seasoning on both sides.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and carefully place the seasoned chicken into the pan.
5. Cook the chicken for 8-10 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
6. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
7. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat and add olive oil and minced garlic.
8. Sauté the garlic until it turns a rich golden brown, releasing its aromatic flavors.
9. Pour in heavy cream and gradually incorporate grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously.
10. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and garlic powder, whisking until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
11. Simultaneously cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until it reaches al dente consistency, reserving a cup of pasta water.
12. Drain the pasta and briefly rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process.
13. Transfer the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
14. Slice the blackened chicken and elegantly arrange it atop the sauced pasta.
15. Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh parsley as a garnish and serve immediately.

Notes

• Perfectly pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help the seasoning stick and promote better browning.
• Create uniform chicken thickness by gently pounding breasts to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Experiment with adjusting cayenne pepper levels to control spice intensity based on personal heat tolerance.
• For gluten-free variations, substitute regular pasta with zucchini noodles or alternative grain-based pastas to accommodate dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 1500 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg