I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the blackened chicken alfredo recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparing the blackened chicken alfredo.
Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
What is Blackened Chicken Alfredo?
Blackened Chicken Alfredo is a delicious pasta dish that pairs blackened chicken with a creamy Alfredo sauce.
The blackened chicken is heavily seasoned with paprika, cayenne pepper, and seasoned salt before being cooked on a cast-iron skillet until it forms a nice black crust.
It is served over a wonderful fettuccine or other pasta, soaked in a rich sauce made from heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese.
Fresh parsley sometimes adds extra flavour and colour—classic Southern and Italian cooking blends to make a comforting dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Bold Flavours: Blackened seasoning and creamy Alfredo sauce combine to create a delicious mix of spicy and rich flavours that will tantalise your palate.
Creamy Comfort: The silky Alfredo sauce envelops the pasta, resulting in a soothing and fulfilling meal suitable for any occasion.
Quick and Easy: You can whip up this dish in about half an hour, making it ideal for hectic evenings or impromptu meals without sacrificing taste.
Versatile Ingredients: The recipe allows for easy substitutions with different proteins or the addition of veggies, enabling you to tailor it to your preferences or dietary requirements.
Impressive Presentations: The stark contrast between the blackened chicken and the pale pasta creates an appealing dish that will wow your loved ones and dinner guests.
Tips
Marinate for More Flavour: Allow the chicken to sit in olive oil and seasoning for at least 30 minutes to make the chicken more flavorful and tender.
Use a Cast Iron Skillet: Use a cast iron skillet because cast iron holds heat well and provides a nice char to the chicken.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh grated parmesan cheese melts better and has a more robust flavour than dry grated cheese.
Adjust Consistency: In case the sauce is too thick, thin it out by adding the reserved pasta water or extra cream to adjust the consistency.
Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the water. The starchy water can help enhance the overall flavour and texture of the sauce.
Variations
Blackened Shrimp Alfredo: Instead of using chicken for your blackened Alfredo, use shrimp for a “seafood” style meal.
Shrimp cooks very quickly and works well with blackened seasoning, giving great taste and texture to your dish.
Vegetarian Blackened Alfredo: Swap out chicken for blackened portobello mushrooms or zucchini for a delicious vegetarian alternative.
The mushrooms provide the meaty feel and flavour while serving as the main ingredient.
Creamy Garlic Alfredo: For garlic lovers, add extra minced garlic to the alfredo sauce! This enhances the richness of the dish and, the aroma!
Lemon Herb Alfredo: Simply add fresh lemon juice and zest to the Alfredo for great, bright, tangy notes that offset the creamy sauce, along with the blackened chicken!
Pesto Blackened Alfredo: Mix in some basil pesto with the Alfredo sauce for a herby flavor! The pesto adds great taste and a pop of color, which makes the dish more appetizing and appealing!
Serving Suggestions
Garlic Bread: This classic side dish complements the creamy Alfredo sauce wonderfully, working on soaking it up, and its crispy texture easily goes with rich pasta.
Steamed broccoli: Healthy and colourful steamed broccoli provides a necessary contrast to the cream sauce pasta.
The bright colour and mild flavour improve the taste of the dish.
Caprese Salad: A Caprese salad, made fresh with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, is a light, refreshing touch of satisfaction.
The tangy tomatoes play well against the creamy Alfredo and fresh basil.
Caesar Salad: A Caesar salad offers a nice crunch and utilises fresh romaine, cream, and croutons. The tangy dressing balances the rich Alfredo.
Oven-Roasted Asparagus: Oven-roasted asparagus gets a touch of elegance from its tender-crisp texture and pungent, earthy flavour.
A squeeze of lemon juice gives it a lively finish, making the dish perfect.
Storing and Freezing
Storing
Let your dish cool to room temperature before putting it away to keep it from becoming soggy.
Put any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh for another 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing
Consider separating the food into different servings for easy thawing and reheating.
Use appropriate containers or bags, remove extra air, and label with the date. You may keep it in storage for 2 to 3 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the blackened chicken alfredo recipe mixes the creamy goodness and strong flavours that will improve your dinner.
The meal not just looks visually appealing but also tastes well and contains rich textures.
So why don’t you give this blackened chicken alfredo a try? Grab your ingredients and start enjoying the process.
Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.
Read More:- Steak Alfredo Recipe
Blackened Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Blackened Chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
- For the Pasta:
- 8 ounces fettuccine or pasta of your choice
- Salt for pasta water
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water following the package directions and drain pasta well before setting it aside.
- Make a seasoning by mixing paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil all over them. Season both sides of the chicken breast evenly.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it is heated, place the seasoned chicken breasts on it.
- Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until it’s well cooked and has a nice char. The interior has to be heated to at least 165°F (75°C).
- Remove chicken from skillet for a few minutes before slicing.
- Reduce heat slightly under the same pan and drop the butter. As soon as the butter melts completely, add minced garlic, then cook for a minute more till it begins to smell good.
- Pour heavy cream into the pan and let it simmer with gentle heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts, forming a smooth sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the alfredo sauce and mix to evenly coat the sauce.
- Slice the blackened chicken and put it on top of pasta.
- You can garrnish it with additional parmesan cheese and fresh parsley before serving.
