Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo
Creamy Cajun chicken and shrimp Alfredo pasta with a smoky, spicy kick. This restaurant-style dinner comes together in one skillet in just 40 minutes.
Why This Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo Recipe Works
There is something magical about the moment smoky Cajun seasoning meets a rich, garlicky Alfredo sauce. This Cajun chicken and shrimp Alfredo recipe takes the classic creamy chicken with Alfredo sauce dinner and turns up the volume with blackened, spice-crusted chicken and juicy shrimp, all tossed together in one glorious skillet. It is bold, it is comforting, and it tastes like something you would order at your favorite Cajun kitchen, except it is ready in under 40 minutes.
If you love shrimp dinner recipes for main dishes but want something heartier, this Cajun shrimp and chicken Alfredo recipe gives you the best of both worlds. Think of it as a Cajun shrimp pasta Alfredo recipe with a protein boost, perfect for date night, meal prep, or a Sunday dinner the whole table will fight over.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients genuinely change the outcome of this dish. A heavy bottomed skillet keeps the cream sauce from scorching, and good quality Cajun seasoning and freshly grated parmesan make all the difference between a flat sauce and one that tastes like it came from a real Cajun kitchen. Here are a few things that help this recipe shine.
The Secret to Perfectly Seasoned Shrimp Alfredo
The key to a great sheimp Alfredo, or shrimp Alfredo as most of us spell it, is not drowning the seafood in sauce before it even hits the pan. Instead, season the shrimp and chicken separately with Cajun spice, sear them hot and fast, then let them finish simmering gently in the finished sauce. This keeps the chicken juicy and the shrimp tender instead of rubbery.
Chef's Tip: Pat your chicken and shrimp completely dry before seasoning. Excess moisture steams the meat instead of searing it, and you will miss out on that beautiful golden crust that carries so much flavor.
Using chicken tenders instead of sliced chicken breast is also a wonderful option here. It is one of the easiest answers to what to cook with chicken tenders on a busy weeknight, since they cook quickly and stay tender under that spicy Cajun crust.
Building the Creamy Alfredo Sauce Recipe with Shrimp Drippings
Once your chicken and shrimp are seared and resting on a plate, do not skip the fond left behind in the skillet. Those browned bits are pure flavor. A splash of chicken broth deglazes the pan, and from there, heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan build a silky, garlicky Alfredo sauce recipe with shrimp and chicken drippings folded right in.
A few chopped sun-dried tomatoes add a subtle sweetness and gorgeous color, though they are entirely optional if you want to keep things classic. Either way, this creamy chicken and shrimp Alfredo comes together as one cohesive, restaurant-quality sauce rather than a plain cream base with proteins dumped on top.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step-by-step recipe:
Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo
Creamy Cajun chicken and shrimp Alfredo pasta with a smoky, spicy kick. This restaurant-style dinner comes together in one skillet in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fettuccine pasta, or linguine
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced into thin cutlets
- 3/4 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off
- 3 tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided, store-bought or homemade
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 3/8 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, optional
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
Instruction
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Pat the chicken and shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning and toss the shrimp with the remaining 1 tablespoon.
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer to the plate with the chicken.
Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it reduce slightly for 3 to 4 minutes.
Whisk in the parmesan cheese a handful at a time until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes if using.
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet along with the shrimp. Add the drained pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce needs loosening.
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan, then serve immediately.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large deep skillet
- Tongs
- Whisk
- Colander
Notes
Serving, Storing, and Family-Friendly Tips
This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but a simple green salad or garlic bread rounds out the meal nicely. If you are cooking for little ones or spice-sensitive eaters, this recipe is easy to adapt. Just cut the Cajun seasoning in half or season only the adult portions after plating, making it a flexible pick among shrimp recipes for kids.
For leftovers, store the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat low and slow on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk, since the microwave tends to toughen the shrimp and break the sauce.
This Cajun chicken and shrimp Alfredo is proof that weeknight dinners can still feel like a celebration. Once you make it, do not be surprised if it becomes your new go-to for chicken with Alfredo sauce recipes.
