Description
A delightful dish that combines creamy Alfredo sauce with a kick of Cajun spice, tender chicken, and gooey cheese for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (20 oz) package of cheese tortellini, cooked
- 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
- Salt to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for extra heat
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and softened cream cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce is creamy and thick. Season with salt to taste.
- Gently fold in the cooked tortellini, cooked chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes into the cheesy Alfredo sauce until well combined and heated through.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken, tortellini, Alfredo, spicy, Cajun, pasta