Cajun Chicken Broccoli Alfredo (Printer-Friendly)

Juicy spiced chicken, broccoli, and penne in a rich, creamy cheese sauce with hints of garlic and Cajun flavor.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb boneless chicken breast, sliced into even pieces

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz penne pasta

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups fresh broccoli florets

→ Dairy

04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - 0.5 cup whole milk
06 - 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Oils & Seasonings

08 - 1 tbsp olive oil
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
11 - 1 tsp salt, divided
12 - 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Pat chicken dry and season evenly with 1 tsp salt, 0.25 tsp black pepper, and 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning. Let rest for 2 minutes to allow spices to adhere.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne and cook for 10 minutes or until just al dente. In the last 3 minutes, add broccoli florets to blanch until bright green and tender. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook without stirring for 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and keep warm.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for approximately 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
05 - Gradually pour in heavy cream, scraping any browned bits from the pan for flavor. Stir in whole milk slowly to maintain a smooth sauce base and prevent scorching. Heat until nearly simmering.
06 - Add grated mozzarella gradually to the cream mixture, stirring gently until fully melted and sauce attains a thick velvety consistency.
07 - Return pasta, broccoli, and chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat all ingredients with the sauce thoroughly. Adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, or black pepper as desired.
08 - Plate immediately while the sauce is warm and creamy. Optionally garnish with extra grated cheese, freshly ground black pepper, or chopped parsley.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - To keep broccoli vibrant, blanch briefly then cool in ice water before adding to the dish.
02 - Use freshly grated cheese to ensure a smooth melt and creamy texture.
03 - Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.

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