Blackened Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Blackened Chicken Alfredo recipe is a popular dish that combines the delicious flavor of blackened chicken with the rich, creamy goodness of classic Alfredo sauce. The chicken is seasoned with a mixture of spices, typically including paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and thyme, then seared to form a flavorful crust. Alfredo sauce made of butter, cream and Parmesan cheese provides a delicious base that perfectly complements the boldness of the blackened chicken. This dish is often served over fettuccine pasta, creating a hearty and delicious meal that satisfies both the palate and the soul.
Blackened Chicken Alfredo is as much an experience as it is a dish. With its creamy charm, it attracts you and promises a little liberation from everyday life. It’s a dish that always makes me feel warm and cozy, whether I’m eating it alone at the end of the day or with loved ones sitting at the table.
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts: For this recipe you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Aim for about 2-3 breasts, depending on your desired serving size.
Fettuccine pasta: Buy yourself a pack of fettuccine pasta, which is a flat, long pasta noodle. It’s perfect for soaking up the creamy Alfredo sauce.
Alfredo Sauce: You can either make your own Alfredo sauce using ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, or opt for store-bought Alfredo sauce for convenience.
Blackening seasoning: This is what gives the chicken that delicious, slightly spicy crust. You can find pre-made blackening seasoning in the spice aisle of most grocery stores, or you can make your own using a combination of spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds a delicious aroma and flavor to both the chicken and alfredo sauces. You can use fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder.
Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese is an excellent addition to Alfredo sauce, providing a rich, cheesy flavor. You can add it directly to sauces or sprinkle it over finished dishes for added flavor.
Fresh herbs: Chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil can add freshness and color to your dishes. They are great for decorating the finished plate.
Butter/Oil: You will need some butter or oil to cook the chicken. The butter adds richness and flavor, while the oil helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Blackening the Chicken
Prepare the chicken: Start by rinsing your chicken breasts under cold water and patting them dry with a paper towel. This helps remove any excess moisture, ensuring crispy exteriors while cooking.
Time to make the seasoning: Now, it’s time to add some flavor. Take your favorite blackening spice mix, available at most grocery stores. And coat generously on both sides of the chicken breasts. The seasoning for blackening usually consists of a mixture of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Don’t hesitate to add spices—this is what gives the chicken its spicy flavor.
Heat things up: Heat a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. You want it nice and hot before you add the chicken—it needs to be sizzling.
When the pan gets hot, add some oil in it. Vegetable or olive oil, or any other high smoke point cooking oil, can be used. Swirl the oil around the pan so that the bottom is evenly coated with oil.
In the pan: Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot pan. As soon as the chicken hits the pan, you should hear a satisfying sound – this is the sound of flavor.
Let it cook: Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until it’s cooked through and has a nice black crust. Don’t move the chicken around too much while cooking – let it sit and let that delicious crust develop. To ensure that the chicken is completely cooked, take it out and place it on a plate.
Now, you shred blackened chicken breasts and serve them over creamy Alfredo pasta for a delicious meal that’s sure to impress.
Step 2: Cooking the Pasta
Boiling water: Start by filling a large pot with water. Set it over a hot flame on the stove. You need enough water to completely submerge the fettuccine pasta.
Adding salt: When the water starts boiling, add adequate amount of salt. This step is important because it makes the pasta delicious from the inside out. Think ocean – pasta water should taste almost salty.
Adding the pasta: When the water comes to a boil, carefully add the fettuccine pasta to the pot. Stir gently to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Cooking Time: See instructions on pasta package for cooking time. However, the goal is to cook the pasta until it is ‘al dente’, meaning it is cooked through. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes to cook.
Doneness test: To check if the pasta is ready, take out a strand and taste it. It should have a slight resistance when you bite into it, without being too soft or mushy.
Draining the pasta: Once the pasta is completely cooked, turn off the heat. Place a colander in the sink and carefully add the pasta and water to drain. Remove extra water by giving the colander a gentle shake.
Step 3: Preparing the Alfredo Sauce
- Melt the butter in a pot over a medium heat source first.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for approximately a minute, or until fragrant.
- Slowly add the heavy cream, stirring constantly to combine with the butter and garlic.
- Let the mixture cook slowly on low flame, while stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly. This may take about 5-7 minutes.
- When the sauce thickens a bit, slowly add the grated Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously. This helps create that creamy, cheesy texture we love in Alfredo sauce.
- Keep stirring until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and your Alfredo sauce is ready.
As the Alfredo sauce simmers on the stove, it transforms into a luxurious, velvety mixture. You’ll notice that the buttery aroma combines with the strong aroma of garlic to create an appealing base for the sauce.
Heavy cream adds a delicious texture, making the sauce thick and creamy without being too heavy. It beautifully covers the back of the spoon, indicating its readiness.
As soon as you add the Parmesan cheese, the sauce becomes even creamier and the cheese takes on a slightly nutty flavor. This combination of creaminess and cheesy goodness is what makes Alfredo sauce so irresistible.
The seasoning of salt and pepper enhances the flavor, balances the richness of the sauce and gives it just the right amount of spice to complement the other ingredients.
Combining Chicken and Pasta
- In a large mixing bowl or directly into the pan with the Alfredo sauce, add the cooked pasta and shredded blackened chicken.
- Gently mix everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the Alfredo sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Fresh Parsley and Grated Parmesan Cheese: Garnishing with fresh parsley not only adds a vibrant touch to your dish but also enhances its flavor. A sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese on top adds a delicious cheesy flavor.
Garlic Bread: Serve your blackened chicken alfredo with warm garlic bread. Garlic bread complements the taste of the dish perfectly.
Caesar Salad: Top off your meal with a crisp Caesar salad dressed with creamy Caesar dressing, croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese. The freshness of the salad balances the richness of the Alfredo sauce.
Health Benefits
Protein Powerhouse:
Chicken is the star of this dish, and it’s packed with protein. This means that proteins are like building blocks for your body. It helps your muscles grow and repair. So, when you eat chicken, you are giving your body a good dose of what it needs to stay strong and healthy.
Calcium Boost:
Parmesan cheese, often sprinkled generously over Alfredo sauce, is rich in calcium. Now, why is calcium important? Well, it’s like the cement that holds your bones together. This keeps them strong and helps keep them from becoming brittle. So, by adding Parmesan cheese to your Blackened Chicken Alfredo, give your bones a little extra love.
Calories are like fuel for your body. You need them to function properly, but too many can risk weight gain. So finding balance is important. When you’re eating a creamy dish like Blackened Chicken Alfredo, just remember to keep an eye on your portion size. Enjoying it as part of a complete meal can help you stay on track with your health goals without feeling deprived.
Storage Tips for Blackened Chicken Alfredo Recipe:
Storing Cooked Chicken:
Once the blackened chicken is cooked and cooled to room temperature, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.
Place the container in the refrigerator. Chilled chicken keeps well in the fridge for three to four days.
Storing Alfredo Pasta:
Keep the Alfredo pasta separate from the chicken to preserve its texture and flavor.
Put the pasta with the Alfredo sauce in an airtight container.
It can be kept in the fridge for two to three days.
Reheating:
When ready to eat, heat the chicken and Alfredo pasta separately to avoid overcooking.
Reheat the chicken in the microwave or oven until hot.
Warm the alfredo pasta gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until evenly heated.
FAQs
Q) how do i season chicken for chicken alfredo?
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning for a flavorful base.
- Consider adding garlic powder and onion powder for extra depth of flavor.
- Optionally, marinate chicken in olive oil and lemon juice for tenderness and tanginess.
- Adjust seasoning according to personal taste preferences.
- Grill, bake, or sauté the seasoned chicken until fully cooked before adding it to your Alfredo sauce.
Q) how to make blackened chicken alfredo?
- Season chicken breasts with blackened seasoning.
- Add olive oil to a skillet that has been heated to medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken until blackened and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, cook fettuccine pasta according to package instructions.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter and add minced garlic.
- After adding the heavy cream, boil the mixture.
- Once the Parmesan cheese has melted and smoothed, add the grated cheese.
- Season Alfredo sauce with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Toss cooked pasta with Alfredo sauce.
- Slice blackened chicken and serve over Alfredo pasta.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
