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I think the sun should be out every weekend. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.
I feel like I’ve been jipped of a weekend whenever it’s rainy or cloudy all weekend. I always wish there was a redo, like taking off Monday and Tuesday to makeup for it. It always seems like during the work week when I’m stuck indoors, it’s always sunny. I long for that sunlight! It makes taking pictures of food so much easier! Weekends for me, are my only times to cook all day and take pictures. Whenever it’s cloudy, it also puts me in a bad mood and I just want to be all frumpy and sit on the couch and watch trashy tv all day.
Anyway, I mustered up enough energy and dragged myself away from some episode of Real Housewives of Orange County on my DVR to make dinner Saturday night.
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Ever since I was young, I remember pasta alfredo was my most favorite pasta in the world. Still is.
Whenever my parents took us to Olive Garden (I know, so authentic), this girl (who probably should weigh well over 200 pounds for ordering this) would always order the Tour of Italy. YES. I DID. It was probably 7000 calories but I didn’t care. I loved that tour. On a massive plate you got lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, and chicken parmigiana. And I would eat the entire plate. HAHA, I’m so healthy. Cut me some slack, this was in high school — I obviously wouldn’t eat all of that now. Maybe 3/4 of the plate, but not all of it.
I know there are skinny alfredo recipes out there, but I didn’t go skinny. I went for the mother load of fatty. I know, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. I had to keep my eating bad alfredo streak going. At least I’m saving money by eating this at home. I also threw in some Cajun spice in there because I felt it needed a bit of flare. That kick to wake you up from your trashy tv induced coma.
Alfredo Pasta with Cajun Spiced Chicken
Yield: 4 servings | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 lb. fettuccine or spaghetti pasta
2 tbsp. butter
3-4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
4 oz. cream cheese, softened, and cut into 1″ cubes
1 cup milk (I used 2%)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 chicken tenderloins, sliced diagonally into 1.5″ pieces
1/2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning (I used Tony’s)
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil, season with salt, and add in your pasta. Cook it according to the instructions on the package and drain well when finished cooking. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet, over medium-high heat, brown your chicken on both sides and season with Cajun seasoning. Cook chicken through, about 5-7 minutes on both sides. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and then add in the garlic. Cook the garlic with the butter for about 2 minutes, until it’s nice a fragrant, then whisk in the cream cheese. Continue whisking for 2 minutes then gradually add in the milk while whisking. Then whisk in the Parmesan cheese until a nice, smooth sauce forms. Add salt and pepper, more to taste.
- Put the cooked chicken in the sauce and then add in your pasta.
- Gently fold the pasta and chicken into the sauce, making sure to cover every bit of pasta.
- Serve hot with a side of garlic bread or side salad, if you wish.
Adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
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I’m digging the spicy cajun twist here girl! If I could mainline alfredo I totally would. And a spicy kicked up version? HELLO!!
We had alfredo last night, every bite I was thinking, “How many calories is this?”. I like the cajun twist for some spice.
This looks terrific!
Not kidding, I would eat this for breakfast right now :) Looks terrific!
This looks soooooo creamy and delicious!!
I want to make a dress out of this and then eat it until I was naked.
mmm this looks extra creamy!! yumm
Oh Olive Garden! I used to eat there all the time. I love everything there, but love to recreate their dishes at home too. And this sounds fabulous. I’m such a fool for alfredo! Hope you get some good light soon, I had some this weekend but it was dreadful all week last week!
This sounds amazing Julie!! I’m on a big alfredo kick right now – pure comfort food :)
Oh YES. This is my kind of indulgent meal. Looks so delicious, Julie! Love the simple flavors you used to make this yummy dinner!
This looks so creamy and delicious! Absolutely decadent, love it!
What a gorgeous post! Creamy and delicious.
Daaaaaang girl! This looks awesome! I looooove me some cajun chicken and alfredo sauce? I.love.it. but I don’t let myself eat it haha. I would change that for this. Make me dinner? :)
I love this unique take on alfredo!!
Don’t apologize for full-fat recipes! I love ‘em! :)
You know this is so strange but I actually had a dream about this very dish last night! No joke. Cajun chicken and everything, except that in my dream, it was chargrilled and a little crusty on the outside.
Ohhh! At the moment I cannot eat half of the ingredients in this, and you have me drooling in front of my screen! Argh!
It really is a pain in the ass when it rains. I made soup last night and it was about 4:30 PM and the natural light was just done for the day. Ugh.
And I’m totally not judging you about the Olive Garden thing. Why? Because I was the same way. I would never step foot in an Olive Garden now but I used to love that place, and every time I went, I ate way too much food than my body could handle.
I think alfredo is definitely one of those dishes that needs to be full fat! Looks so good and creamy.
This looks so good. We love us some Chicken Alfredo. I’ve never made it with Cajun seasoning, but that sounds awesome.
Really craving this dish. Looks amazing!
glad you went with the full fat! i don’t think alfredo was made to be “skinny”…i want to make this immediately!
hi I am the first time here, your blog is gorgeous. love your style! I d probably eat all the pasta no matter fatty or not. Its delicious!
this looks incredible! my husband would love it :)
I now know what we will be having for tonight’s dinner! This is making my mouth water. YUM
mmmm… I treat myself to Alfredo pasta twice a year, and it just so happens that I just treated myself this past weekend. Now I’m craving this fatty-fat-fat pasta, darn you Julie! LOL… this looks great–I can’t wait to try this in another 6 months!
Thank you and welcome :) glad to have you!!
Idk if it’s just the Olive Garden’s in my area, but it’s just not the same anymore. I use to love going tontryntheir new dishes, but lately I have been sadly disappointed. And Im a sucker for Italian food!
My family loves Alfredo, so I will be trying this soon!!!!
I’m late to the game on this one (what.a.Monday. yesterday was!) but girl, I can relate to the Olive Garden thing! We used to go after soccer tournaments and looking back I’m shocked, proud and slightly appalled by how much unlimited pasta I could throw back. Alfredo is a classic. Love it! I’ve made a lighter version recently, but sometimes you just need the real thing, in all it’s full fat glory :)
Wow, I never thought to make alfredo spicy! But I suppose it’s a good contrast to how creamy it is… great job :)
Oh my goodness how delicious! I need to make this soon. Oh why isn’t it my lunch today?!?! :)
I love alfredo sauces too! My husband orders the Tour of Italy often at Olive Garden, and it’s always what I steal from his plate! Your dish looks so, so good. That cajun seasoning is the perfect pairing!
Oh my this is right up our alley. THanks Julie!!
I don’t eat alfredo anything very often, so when I do I want the full fat version. Sure it means some extra time in the gym, but I think its worth it.
I love sneaking cajun spice into lots of things. This looks great!
My husband’s favorite is alfredo, and I love the Cajun twist. It’s a win/win for us!!
Oh honey – i’m so glad you didn’t fat-out on me. I made Alfredo no too long ago and almost died it was so good. i’m proud of you, sister. :)
PS. also horray re: daylight hours on weekends for taking pictures.
Happy SRC reveal day (belated) from a group D member!
what a perfect spring recipe. the cajun makes it even better!
I love watching Rachel Ray, and yeah, she can be a bit irritating sometimes, especially when she uses made up words like “juuj” or whatever that thing is. Your recipe looks fantastic, comforting and satisfying. Nice work, woman!
This looks so delicious – perfect comfort food for any day! Love your photos, as usual!