Chicken Alfredo with Blackened Chicken
A creamy and smoky chicken Alfredo that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
For the Blackened Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast (about 2 medium breasts)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ Tablespoon smoked paprika For smoky flavor
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Alfredo Sauce
- 10 ounces fettuccine or bowtie pasta (gluten-free if needed)
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups heavy cream Substitute with whole milk + half-and-half if necessary
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese Freshly grated for best melt
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken dry and rub with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Mix smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ¾ tsp salt, ½ tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp black pepper. Rub this evenly over the chicken to blacken.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high until hot. Add the chicken and sear for 5–7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Cooking Pasta
- While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
Making Alfredo Sauce
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup butter. Add 2 cups heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and whisk in ¾ cup grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Stir in ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen.
Combining
- Slice the blackened chicken thinly. Toss the drained pasta with the Alfredo sauce in the pot or a wide skillet. Add sliced chicken on top and gently fold to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on low heat with a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to restore creaminess.