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This simple Lemon Pepper Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a favorite with everyone. Classic, creamy fettuccini Alfredo with butter, garlic, and plenty of parmesan. Then topped with crispy lemon pepper cajun chicken. Every twirl of pasta melts in your mouth and the chicken adds a nice buttery, spiciness to every bite. Itโ€™s delicious.

overhead photo of pasta and chicken in a pasta bowl with a fork and herbs

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Sometimes you have those recipes that you just know youโ€™re going to love. I feel like this fettuccine will be that recipe for many of you. Creamy Alfredo pasta mixed with spicy, buttery cajun chicken, itโ€™s a combo we all can love.ย 

Simple, but wow, so good, and the chicken really does add so much flavor. What I said above really stands true, everyone loves this dish.ย 

Lemon Pepper Cajun Chicken on a cutting board with lemons

The inspirationย 

Growing up my dad often made fettuccini alfredo on Friday or Saturday night. It was always a special night when he made it because he didnโ€™t make it that often. Or well, just not as often as he made say tacos. My dad has made a lot of tacos.ย 

I loved alfredo night, it always felt so fancy to me. Looking back I didnโ€™t realize just how simple it was, especially my dadโ€™s Alfredo. He kept his basic with lots of butter, cream, and parmesan. He also added cream cheese, which made it extra rich.ย 

I wanted to see if I could improve on his old skool, classic pasta. We love anything involving a little cajun seasoning around here, so adding in some cajun chicken sounded perfect.ย 

Fettuccine Alfredo in skillet

The stepsย 

Before starting the chicken boil off the pasta.ย 

Next, toss the chicken in olive oil, homemade cajun seasoning (my recipe is in the notes), parmesan, and a big pinch of pepper.ย 

Sear up the chicken in a skillet with some butter until it becomes deeply golden and crisp. Then pour over some lemon juice and let it sizzle around the chicken.

Nothing fancy, but the smells coming from your skillet sure will be delicious.ย 

Now onto the pasta, this happens really quickly.

Use the same skillet you cooked the chicken in so you get all that yummy flavor. Add in a bit more butter and some garlic. Then pour in broth and milk (you can also use cream). I like to use broth and milk to create a still creamy pasta, but a pasta that has a nice amount of sauciness to it as well. Itโ€™s also a little lighter than using all cream or milk, so the alfredo isnโ€™t quite as rich.ย 

Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the parmesan and pasta. I like to use linguine, but fettuccini is obviously great too.

And thatโ€™s it! Serve the chicken over steaming bowls of creamy pasta and top with additional parmesan and fresh parsley. Yummmm!

This recipe is all about the creamy sauce and that crispy cajun chicken. The sauce is buttery, a touch garlicky, and so creamy. And the crispy chickenโ€ฆitโ€™s a game-changer. Tender and delicious when thinly sliced and tossed in with the pasta.

Itโ€™s one of those chicken pasta dinners that feels like a dish youโ€™d order at a restaurant. But itโ€™s made at home and is even more delicious. Trust me.ย 

Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo in a pasta bowl with fork, very close up photo

Looking for other weeknight dinner recipes? Here are some favorites:

Sheet Pan Greek Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes

Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp with Creamy Pesto Pasta

Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken

Lastly, if you make this Lemon Pepper Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donโ€™t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Lemon Pepper Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

4.76 from 364 votes
6
calories 910kcal
Prep15 minutes
Cook15 minutes
Total30 minutes
Every twirl of pasta melts in your mouth and the chicken adds a delicious buttery, spiciness with every bite!
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Ingredientsย 

Instructionsย 

  • 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
    2. In bowl, toss together the olive oil, chicken, cajun seasoning, 2 tablespoons parmesan, and a big pinch of pepper.
    3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pan set over medium-high heat, add the chicken and sear until deeply golden on both sides, 5 minutes per side. Turn the heat off and pour over the lemon juice. Transfer to a plate.
    4. To the same pan, add 2 tablespoons butter, the garlic, and chili flakes. Cook 1 minute, until fragrant, then pour in the broth and milk. Whisk until smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in 1 1/2 cups parmesan, then toss in the pasta. Cook 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley.
    5. Serve immediately topped with sliced chicken and parsley.

Notes

Homemade Cajun Seasoning:ย mix 2 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Makes 3/4 cup.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 910kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

Lemon Pepper Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo in pasta bowl with fork and herbs

Meet Tieghan Gerard

I'm Tieghan, the recipes you'll find here are inspired by the people and places I love most. I try to live simply, eat seasonally, and cook with whole foods. My hope is to inspire a love for amazing food, as well as the courage to try something new!

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4.76 from 364 votes (190 ratings without comment)

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555 Comments

  1. Lisa Tornรธ Kokspang says:

    5 stars
    MUMS as we say in Denmark ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ
    Thanks for you teaching me to do Alfredo this way โค๏ธ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Thanks so much, Lisa:) Love to hear this dish was enjoyed! Have a great day!