A baked casserole featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce seasoned with bold Cajun spices.
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
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
1/2 cup cream cheese, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Season the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Whisk in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme.
Reduce the heat to low. Whisk in the cream cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Gradually whisk in the 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly. Do not let the sauce boil after adding the cheese.
In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and the creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
Sprinkle the top evenly with the mozzarella cheese and a light dusting of extra Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
To keep the sauce rich and prevent drying, use high-quality heavy cream and do not overbake the casserole.
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on the spice level of your blend and your preference for heat.
For extra flavor depth, use smoked chicken broth if available.