Description
Creamy najun chicken and broccoli alfredo delivers a spicy southern twist on classic Italian comfort food. Peppered with bold Cajun spices and rich parmesan, this one-pan meal brings sizzling flavor you’ll crave on chilly nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein:
- 2 lbs (900 g) chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 1 lb (450 g) fettuccine pasta
- 3 cups (450 g) fresh broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 ml) alfredo sauce
- 1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Slice chicken breasts into uniform strips, ensuring even cooking and tender texture.
- Whisk eggs with heavy cream, creating a rich marinade for the chicken pieces.
- Immerse chicken strips in the cream mixture, allowing them to absorb flavors for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, preparing for chicken sautéing.
- Remove chicken from marinade, season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Sear chicken strips until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute.
- Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
- Add broccoli florets to the pasta water during the last 3 minutes of cooking, ensuring crisp-tender texture.
- Drain pasta and broccoli, reserving a small amount of cooking water.
- Return skillet to medium heat, pour in alfredo sauce, and gently warm.
- Incorporate cooked chicken, pasta, and broccoli into the sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the dish, creating a creamy, luxurious finish.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous flavor.
- Serve immediately while hot, allowing the melted cheese and sauce to tantalize the palate.
Notes
- Marinate chicken in cream mixture to enhance tenderness and infuse deep, rich flavors throughout the meat.
- Sear chicken at high heat to lock in juices and create a beautiful golden-brown exterior that adds complexity to the dish.
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, helping the alfredo sauce cling perfectly to noodles and ingredients.
- Consider swapping heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, diet-friendly alternatives that maintain creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg