Hello September and hello comfort food season! If you’re anything like me you’ve been waiting for fall to get here since the beginning of summer. I’m not joking either. I may be slightly addicted to fall and the holiday season. So when I say I’ve been counting down I definitely mean it! One of my favorite parts of fall is the comfort food. This is the time everyone pulls out their favorite homemade soups, traditional family recipes, and the recipes we enjoy without looking at the calorie count. This Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo recipe is one of those “don’t count the calories or fat” type of recipes. But that’s how you know it tastes delicious, right?
There really isn’t a super interesting backstory to this recipe. It’s simply some of my favorite ingredients, made with my own twist, and it makes my stomach happy. This is one of those dishes that when I see it on a menu at a restaurant I know it’s what I’m going to order. However, one of the biggest disappointments is getting this dish and it not living up to the taste standard I was expecting. Talk about a let down! So in my true recipe creating nature, I make my own version at home, perfect it, then share it with all of you.
The even better part about this recipe is that you can add and omit the ingredients you love. If you prefer all chicken or all shrimp- go for it! If you prefer veggies instead, add them! Whatever you do just make sure it’s a comfort food for you. Comfort food means making food that makes you feel good. It’s food that makes you feel cozy at home or reminds you of happy memories attached to the dish. Comfort food is exactly what it means, it brings you comfort. What are some of your favorite comfort food dishes? Share with me in the comments below. But in the meantime, let’s go ahead and dig into this Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo recipe!
Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken Breast
- 1 lbs Raw Shrimp
- 14 oz. Linguine
- 16 oz. Half & Half
- 5 Tbsp. Butter
- 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil divided
- 2 tsp. Minced Garlic
- 4 tsp. Tony's Chachere's Creole Seasoning divided
- 4 tsp. Onion Powder divided
- 4 tsp. Paprika divided
- 2 tsp Poultry Seasoning
- 2 tsp. Garlic Powder divided
- 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 cup Italian Blend Cheese
Instructions
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Clean your chicken breasts, place on a plate, and slice them in half. Season your chicken on both sides with 2 teaspoons of your Cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, and paprika. Add black pepper and salt to your liking. Set to the side.
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Remove the tails on your shrimp and put them in a bowl. Drain any excess water out of the bowl. Add the fresh lemon juice and remaining seasonings to the shrimp, mix well, and set to the side.
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Heat a frying pan over medium high heat and add your first tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Once the pan is hot place no more than 3 chicken slices in the pan and sear on both sides until golden brown: about 5 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of your chicken. Place your cooked chicken to the side.
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Before searing your shrimp place a large pot of water over high heat to boil with a tablespoon of olive oil and teaspoon of salt.
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Using the same pan, add your last tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, and sear your shrimp on both sides until golden brown: about 2-3 minutes on each side. *Do not over cook your shrimp or it will be chewy!* Place your shrimp to the side.
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Clean out your pan and heat over the clean pan over medium heat. Add your butter to the pan.
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Add your linguine to the boiling water and let it cook according to the directions on the back of the box while you make your alfredo sauce.
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Once the butter is melted add your minced garlic to the pan and stir frequently until the garlic is lightly browned. Add your half and half to the pan and mix the ingredients well.
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Once the ingredients in the pan are hot enough add your shredded parmesan cheese to the pan and continue to mix well. Once the parmesan cheese has melted down add your shredded Italian blend cheese to the pan.
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You can add more black pepper or cajun seasoning to the alfredo sauce if you prefer.
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Mix your alfredo sauce until it is completely combined.
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Drain your pasta and place your serving on a plate. Pour your desired amount of alfredo sauce over the pasta, slice a chicken breast to place on top of the sauce, and add your desired amount of shrimp on top of the chicken.
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This dish pairs well with roasted broccoli. Serve and enjoy!
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