Description
A reliable, flavor-packed meal prep recipe featuring juicy chicken thighs, fettuccine, and a rich Cajun alfredo sauce that stays creamy and delicious for up to four days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning blend (divided)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz dried fettuccine pasta
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (optional)
- Salted water for pasta
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with 1.5 tbsp of Cajun seasoning.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Whisk in Parmesan cheese gradually until melted and smooth. Stir in remaining 0.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning.
- Boil fettuccine in salted water, cooking 1 minute less than package directions for al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Add spinach and let wilt. Fold in chopped chicken.
- Let mixture cool for 10-15 minutes before portioning into containers to prevent sogginess.
- Divide evenly among four containers. Store in fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 2 months.
Notes
Do not substitute chicken breasts as they dry out during reheating. Use heavy cream, not milk, for sauce stability. Cool food completely before sealing containers to prevent condensation. Undercook pasta slightly as it will continue to cook when mixed with hot sauce and reheated.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 container (approx.
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: meal prep, cajun chicken, alfredo, chicken thighs, pasta, batch cooking, easy dinner, creamy sauce