Description
A restaurant-quality pasta made at home in under 40 minutes. Juicy Cajun-spiced chicken, tender fettuccine, and a velvety cream sauce with garlic, Parmesan, and smoked paprika come together for a bold, comforting dinner that’s both weeknight-friendly and impressive enough for guests.
Ingredients
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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8 oz fettuccine pasta
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2 tbsp butter
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 cup heavy cream
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½ cup chicken broth
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
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1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
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Cook Pasta: Boil fettuccine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
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Season & Cook Chicken: Coat chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
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Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes. Pour in cream and chicken broth, simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan until smooth.
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Combine: Toss pasta in the sauce, adding reserved water if needed. Stir in parsley, lemon juice, and sliced chicken.
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Serve: Garnish with more parsley and enjoy hot.
Notes
Adjust Cajun seasoning for more or less spice.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded.
Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
Slice chicken at an angle for tenderness and presentation.
Can substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American