Southwest Chicken Alfredo (Printable Version)
Creamy Alfredo with seasoned chicken, bell peppers, and smoky Southwest spices.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Seasonings
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Vegetables
09 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
11 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
→ Pasta
13 - 12 oz fettuccine pasta
→ Alfredo Sauce
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
17 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
18 - 1/2 cup milk
19 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
20 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
21 - 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
22 - Juice of 1 lime
→ Garnish
23 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
24 - Lime wedges
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Cook fettuccine pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water for sauce adjustment.
02 - Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of chicken breasts.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred. Remove from pan, let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In the same skillet, add oil if needed. Sauté red onion, bell peppers, and jalapeño for 4-5 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Remove vegetables and set aside.
05 - Lower heat to medium. Add butter to skillet and melt. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Pour in heavy cream and milk. Bring to gentle simmer, whisking occasionally. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and chipotle powder. Cook 3-4 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
07 - Add cooked pasta and reserved vegetables to sauce, tossing to coat. Add splash of reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
08 - Squeeze lime juice over pasta. Top with sliced chicken. Garnish with chopped cilantro and extra lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way smoky spices cut through rich cream sauce feels like discovering a secret flavor combination you cant believe you lived without
- Its the perfect compromise when half the table wants Italian comfort food and the other half is craving something bold and spicy
02 -
- The spice rub will seem thick but resist the urge to wipe any off, every particle contributes to the final flavor
- Your sauce will look slightly thin at first but continue stirring and it will thicken beautifully as the cheese melts and reduces
03 -
- If you only have garlic powder instead of fresh cloves, use it in the spice rub and add an extra pinch directly to the sauce
- A splash of reserved pasta water can fix any sauce that seems too thick or broken, it contains starch that helps emulsify everything