Creamy Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo

There’s something undeniably comforting about a plate of creamy pasta, especially when it’s elevated with tender chicken, succulent shrimp, and a kick of Cajun spice. Our Creamy Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo brings restaurant-quality dining to your home kitchen, combining two protein favorites in one irresistible dish. With a velvety parmesan sauce that perfectly balances richness and spice, this pasta creation has earned its impressive 4.95-star rating from over 200 home cooks who’ve made it part of their dinner rotation.

Why This Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo Deserves a Spot in Your Recipe Collection

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between ordering chicken or shrimp with your pasta, this recipe solves that dilemma beautifully. You get the best of both worlds: juicy pan-fried chicken pieces and tender shrimp, all enveloped in a creamy, zesty Cajun Alfredo sauce.

What makes this dish particularly appealing is its straightforward preparation. Despite its impressive presentation and complex flavors, it’s remarkably accessible for weeknight cooking. The sauce builds on our reader-favorite Quick and Easy Alfredo base—featuring butter, cream, parmesan, and cream cheese—but takes it to new heights with Cajun seasoning that provides just the right amount of heat.

Gathering Your Ingredients

Before diving into cooking, let’s assemble everything you’ll need:

For the pasta base, traditional fettuccine works beautifully with the creamy sauce, though any pasta shape you have on hand will do nicely. The proteins include chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces (which ensures quick, even cooking) and shrimp—ideally 31/40 count, thawed and peeled if using frozen.

The sauce’s flavor foundation comes from a combination of minced fresh garlic and garlic powder for depth, plus Cajun seasoning for that signature kick. A crucial tip: opt for low-sodium or no-salt Cajun seasoning to maintain control over the dish’s overall saltiness.

You’ll also need olive oil and butter for cooking and creating the sauce base. Heavy whipping cream provides luxurious texture, while cream cheese—which should be very soft before adding—helps thicken the sauce quickly while adding silky smoothness. Its slight tanginess also beautifully balances the sauce’s richness.

Freshly grated parmesan cheese (which melts far better than pre-packaged varieties) rounds out our ingredient list, along with salt and pepper for final seasoning adjustments.

Creating Your Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo

The process flows smoothly when you prep efficiently. Begin by bringing your cream cheese to room temperature—this ensures it will incorporate seamlessly into your sauce without lumps. While your pasta water comes to a boil, prep your proteins by cutting the chicken and ensuring your shrimp are ready to cook.

Season both chicken and shrimp with Cajun seasoning—this double application of flavor ensures the spice profile runs throughout the dish, not just in the sauce. The shrimp cook first and quickly, so you’ll remove them temporarily while the chicken gets its turn in the pan, developing a beautiful golden crust that adds texture and flavor.

The sauce comes together remarkably fast. After cooking your proteins, you’ll build the sauce in the same pan, incorporating butter, garlic, cream, softened cream cheese, and freshly grated parmesan. As it thickens slightly, you’ll return the chicken and shrimp to mingle with the sauce before tossing with your cooked pasta.

Kitchen Tools That Make Preparation Easier

While this recipe doesn’t require specialized equipment, a few tools make preparation smoother. A quality zester makes quick work of freshly grating parmesan cheese, producing fine shreds that melt beautifully into the sauce. A large skillet provides ample room for browning the chicken without crowding, which ensures you get proper caramelization rather than steaming.

If you love garlic, a good garlic press saves time and maximizes flavor. And for butter measurements, a butter dish with marked measurements helps with precision without dirtying measuring spoons.

Making It Your Own: Variations and Substitutions

This recipe welcomes personalization based on what you have available or your preference. Short on time? Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, adjusting the olive oil slightly since you’ll skip the chicken cooking step.

For heat lovers, the spice level can be easily increased with a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Alternatively, if you’re craving just the sauce, we have a standalone Cajun Alfredo sauce recipe that pairs beautifully with any protein or vegetable combination.

Perfect Pairings to Complete Your Meal

To serve this hearty pasta dish, consider finishing with chopped fresh parsley for color, a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness, and perhaps some additional freshly grated parmesan.

Balance the richness with a crisp side salad—our Homemade Italian Dressing or 10-Minute Caesar Dressing transforms simple greens into worthy accompaniments. For true comfort food lovers, Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread provides the perfect vehicle for sopping up every last bit of that glorious sauce.

Storing and Enjoying Leftovers

While this dish is best enjoyed freshly made, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When reheating, patience is key—gentle warming over low heat helps maintain the sauce’s creamy texture without separation. Unfortunately, cream-based sauces generally don’t freeze well, so plan to enjoy this dish within a few days of preparation.

A Recipe Worth Sharing

Whether you’re cooking for a special date night, family dinner, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary, this Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo delivers restaurant-quality results from your own kitchen. The combination of tender proteins, perfectly cooked pasta, and a sauce that strikes the ideal balance between creamy and spicy makes this a dish worth adding to your regular rotation.

Don’t forget to adjust seasoning before serving—the saltiness of Cajun seasonings varies significantly between brands, so taste and adjust to your preference. With its crowd-pleasing flavors and impressive presentation, this pasta dish just might become your new signature recipe.

Have you tried our Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo? We’d love to hear how it turned out in your kitchen! Leave a comment below or tag us in your foodie photos on social media.