This blackened chicken alfredo recipe consists of pan-seared spice-rubbed chicken served over a creamy Cajun alfredo sauce with pasta.

I'm a huge fan of blackened food, from blackened shrimp to blackened cod to blackened halibut.
It is just so easy. You use a combination of spices you have in your pantry then just quickly cook the protein and you have a dish loaded with flavor.
Now instead of just chicken, I decided to kick it up a notch by serving it over some pasta tossed in a Cajun alfredo sauce. The end result is one of the most delicious and comforting meals you can eat.
Why the Recipe Works
- Loaded with flavor - The homemade spice mixture is both a little sweet and spicy, complementing the chicken perfectly.
- Versatile - While this dish is great as is, you can also mix in vegetables such as peppers, zucchini or spinach among others.
- Customizable - Speaking of heat, if you do want more heat you can add more cayenne pepper in ¼ teaspoon increments or less heat, just omit.
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Ingredient Notes
- Blackening seasoning - The combination of the spices, sugar and dried herbs creates a blackened coating on the chicken when cooked. BTW you can make just the blackened chicken and skip the pasta if you prefer.
- Chicken - By pounding the chicken breasts, you help tenderize it and make a juicy meal.
- Alfredo sauce - It is a traditional alfredo sauce consisting of butter, cream and cheese but you add a little bit of the seasoning for more flavor.
- Pasta - When I think of alfredo, I think of fettuccine which is what I use.
Ingredient Swaps
Like any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients you use. Some variations include:
- I like making my own blackening seasoning, but you can use store-bought Cajun seasoning. Emeril's Essence is my go-to.
- I use chicken breasts in this recipe, but chicken thighs work just as well.
- I mentioned above that fettuccine is what I use, but other pastas like spaghetti, bucatini or angel hair all work.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Combine the spices, herbs and sugar in a small bowl and then rub 2 tablespoon of the seasoning into the chicken, making sure it is coated.
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet and cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side or until blackened and cooked through.
Remove and set aside and then in the same skillet, lower the heat and add the butter and cream. Simmer for 2 minutes before adding the garlic and remaining seasoning.
Add 1 cup of the cheese and mix until melted through before adding the cooked pasta and tossing in the remaining cheese. Slice the chicken and serve over top the pasta.
FAQs
I would say it is in the mild category. It does have a slight heat to it but you can adjust by removing the cayenne pepper or adding more.
No. Every grocery store sells blackened seasoning, but it really is easy to make on your own.
Food that is grilled just means it is cooked on a grill, over coals, gas or flame. Food that is blackened is coated with a traditional Cajun seasoning and then on very high heat, usually a cast iron skillet.
While heavy cream is best, you can use sour cream, Greek yogurt or cream cheese and mix with some chicken stock or milk to get the right consistency.
Homemade alfredo sauce will clump up when the sauce is overcooked which leads to curdling or a grainy consistency. You need to remove it from the heat once the cheese has melted and pasta has been tossed in.
This fettuccine alfredo recipe is one of those dishes that should be served immediately. Alfredo sauce dries out as it cools and the pasta will clump together.
It will last about 3 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
My preferred method is placing the leftover pasta in a skillet with a splash of water or milk. Cook on medium-low until heated through.
You can also microwave. Place in a microwave-proof bowl with a splash of water and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and microwave for another minute or until heated through.
Side Dish Options
The beauty of blackened chicken alfredo is it goes with a variety of side dishes, including:
- Roasted Broccoli
- Garlic Bread
- Roasted Carrots and Green Beans
- Caesar Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Equipment
The equipment you use is important to how the recipe turns out. What is needed is the following:
- Skillet/Dutch Oven - You want something large enough to fit the chicken.
- Spatula - You need a thin/flexible spatula so you can get under and flip the blackened chicken.
- Spoon - You want a good wooden spoon to stir everything together.
- Cheese Grater - I mentioned multiple time but use a cheese block and grate yourself.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Take the time to pound the chicken as it helps tenderize it and makes it fork tender.
- Salt the water when boiling the fettuccine so it seasons the pasta.
- Cook the fettuccine until just underdone so you can finish cooking it in the sauce.
- Save some pasta water if you need to thin out the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Never buy pre-shredded Parmesan cheese as it contains wood pulp. Blocks of Parmesan cheese are also cheaper.
- You can also use store-bought alfredo sauce if you want to skip the homemade version.
Similar Recipes
If you’ve tried this blackened chicken alfredo recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. You could also make some lobster ravioli! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Blackened Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
Blackening Seasoning
- 2 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Alfredo
- 12 oz fettuccine
- 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the fettuccine according to package directions.
- In small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, paprika, cumin, salt, garlic powder, thyme, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Rub 2 tablespoon of the seasoning into the chicken, making sure it's entirely coated. Reserve the remaining seasoning for later.
- Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in large skillet. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until blackened and cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the butter and cream. Simmer for 2 minutes before whisking in garlic and remaining blackening seasoning.
- Add 1 cup of Parmesan to the sauce and mix until melted through. Add the cooked fettuccine to the sauce. Toss a couple of times and add the remaining cup of Parmesan, tossing to combine.
- Slice the chicken and add to pasta. Top with some Italian parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Take the time to pound the chicken as it helps tenderize it and makes it fork tender.
- Salt the water when boiling the fettuccine so it seasons the pasta.
- Cook the fettuccine until just underdone so you can finish cooking it in the sauce.
- Save some pasta water if you need to thin out the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Never buy pre-shredded Parmesan cheese as it contains wood pulp. Blocks of Parmesan cheese are also cheaper.
- You can also use store-bought alfredo sauce if you want to skip the homemade version.
Brenda says
WOW. Made this spur of the moment for just myself. Can't wait to make again for company. Followed recipe exactly and it was AH MAZING.
Ryan says
Awesome to hear!
Cindy says
Wow! This Chicken Alfredo was excellent! Easy to follow, simple ingredients. Everyone loved it, it’s a keeper!
Ryan says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Cindy says
Excellent recipe! Delicious, I didn’t change a thing! Thank you for your great recipes!
Maria Rodriguez says
This is soo good!! It's definitely on our weekly and special occasion list.
d4v1d says
Very good. I liked the home-mix cajun. Shortcut: you can make your pasta as 'cacio e pepe' - the Italian recipe Alfredo actually used. There is no milk, cream, or flour in it - the foundation is only parmesan, black pepper, and butter.
Kandis says
One of my absolute favorite recipes to cook for guests. Always a hit.
Ryan says
Awesome. Yeah it's a favorite of mine too!