This recipe delivers a rich, flavor-packed baked pasta dish combining tender chicken, a spicy Cajun seasoning profile, and a luxurious, creamy Alfredo sauce.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:50 min
Yield:6 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound fettuccine pasta
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Season the chicken pieces generously with the Cajun seasoning.
Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
Whisk in the heavy cream and half-and-half. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the cubed cream cheese, stirring constantly until it melts completely into the sauce.
Stir in the 1 cup of Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper if needed, remembering the Cajun seasoning is already salty.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked fettuccine and toss everything gently until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy sauce.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For deeper flavor, use smoked paprika in your homemade Cajun seasoning blend.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, use only whole milk instead of half-and-half.
You can substitute rotisserie chicken for the fresh chicken to save cooking time.