Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta is a flavorful, filling, and easy-to-make dish that the whole family will love. The vibrant Cajun spices give this rich Alfredo pasta dish a delicious kick, while the shrimp and chicken provide plenty of protein. This meal is sure to become a favorite!
Make this a meal with our Air Fryer Broccolini, Sauteed Spinach & Onions, and Mango Sugar Free Sorbet.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Looking for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love? This Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta is a simple meal that is packed with flavor. The creamy Alfredo sauce is made with a mix of Cajun spices, Parmesan cheese, and garlic, and it pairs perfectly with tender chicken and succulent shrimp. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- How to Make Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo
- Serving Suggestions
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
- Air Fryer Chicken Shrimp Alfredo
Ingredients
If you have some left over cooked shrimp or chicken you can use it instead of fresh. Use real butter and cream though, as this is how you get the rich Alfredo sauce!
- Chicken Breast, cubed
- Shrimp, medium or smaller
- Parmesan cheese
- Heavy cream
- Butter
- Garlic
- Nutmeg
- Cajun seasoning
- Salt
- White pepper
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Linguine, Fettuccine, or your favorite pasta
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo
Start your pot of water for cooking the pasta while the chicken and shrimp are cooking in the air fryer. In a separate pot, prepare the creamy Alfredo sauce.
Start Cooking the Shrimp & Chicken
Spray the interior basket of your air fryer basket, so that the chicken and shrimp don't stick. Set a large pot of water to boil.
- Dice up the chicken breast and set in the basket of the air fryer. Add the shrimp. If using extra large shrimp, cut them in half.
- Add the Cajun spice to the chicken and shrimp. Toss to coat all the pieces. Air fry at 350 F for 20 minutes, or until cooked.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Make the Alfredo Sauce
- The pot of water should be boiling at this point, add your pasta to the water, stirring any bubbles or foam down. TIP: add a tablespoon of oil or a tablespoon of butter to keep the foam down and the pasta from sticking together. Cook according to the directions on the pasta container.
You will not use flour to make this traditional Alfredo sauce. The hot melted butter and cream combine and thicken on their own.
- While the shrimp and chicken are cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the cream when butter is completely melted.
- Whisk to combine and heat up on medium low. Add the Parmesan cheese and garlic, whisk again.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Season the Alfredo Sauce
- Keep the stove top heat at a medium to medium low so that the cheese does not scorch during the melting.
- Once the Parmesan cheese is all mixed in, add the nutmeg and white pepper. Mix well.
- Last, add the minced parsley (optional). Whisk and keeping Alfredo sauce to a low simmer.
Serving Suggestions
Plate some pasta on serving bowls. Then spoon some of the creamy Alfredo sauce on the pasta. Last, serve the hot Cajun chicken and shrimp on top of this delicious pasta dish! Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for garnish.
Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta goes perfect with fresh Air Fryer Broccolini or Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
If you are not up to making the Alfredo sauce from scratch (though the flavor is spectacular!) you can use a jar of ready made Alfredo sauce. Trader Joe's has a very good version also.
Variations
While Cajun chicken and shrimp are a perfect pairing, there are other variations that are delicious also. Try Scallops and Shrimp, or strips of Ribeye steak and shrimp. The Cajun spices will make either combination fabulous.
- Cajun Shrimp and Scallops - Use small bay scallops and small shrimps so that they cook up at about the same time.
- Cajun Steak and Shrimp - use a tender cooking steak like Ribeye or New York strip steak. Cut it in smaller chunks and cook it with the shrimp. When the shrimp are cooked, the steak should be medium rare.
Equipment
- Stock Pot for boiling pasta
- Saucepan for making Alfredo Sauce
- Air Fryer 2.5 quart
- Air Fryer 6 quart (for larger families)
Use an Air Fryer to cook the meats, a saucepan for your Alfredo sauce, and boil up your pasta following the directions on the pasta package.
Storage
Store leftovers either in separate storage containers, or mix the leftover pasta, chicken and shrimp, and Alfredo sauce together. Refrigerate up to 3 days.
Tips for Success
- Keep the heat on your Alfredo sauce in the medium to medium low range so you don't scorch the or burn the cream and Parmesan cheese. It will hold on the low setting if it finishes before the pasta has finished cooking also.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but reheating can be tricky to keep the original texture in the shrimp. Reheat on low and check every 15 second intervals. It is easier to freeze if you freeze the meats, pasta, and sauce separately.
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
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📖 Recipe
Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cajun Chicken and Shrimp
- 2 chicken breasts cubed
- 1 lb shrimp medium size
- 1½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend
For the Alfredo Sauce
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley + more for garnish
- 1 lb fettuccine
Instructions
- Spray your air fryer basket with non stick spray. Get a pot of water ready and heating to boil for cooking the fettuccine. When it boils, cook according to the instructions on the package.1 lb fettuccine
- Place cubed chicken and shrimp in the air fryer basket and sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning. Air Fry at 350° F for 20 minutes, or until cooked.2 chicken breasts, 1 lb shrimp, 1½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning blend
- While the chicken and shrimp is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan on medium low. Once the butter melts, add the cream and whisk to combine and heat evenly.½ cup butter, 2 cups heavy cream
- Once the cream has heated up add the garlic and Parmesan cheese in 1 cup intervals, whisking after each addition.6 cloves garlic, 3 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- After you have blended in all the Parmesan cheese add the nutmeg, white pepper, and chopped parsley. Chop a little more parsley for garnishing each serving.¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 2 tablespoon chopped parsley + more for garnish
- One you drain the pasta, serve some on a plate. Add some Alfredo sauce on top of the pasta, and add a serving of the Cajun chicken and shrimp. Enjoy!
Video
Air Fryer Chicken Shrimp Alfredo
This Air Fryer Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo is super fast and easy to make! Get the full recipe at Smells Like Delish. https://smellslikedelish.comNotes
- Keep the heat on your Alfredo sauce in the medium to medium low range so you don't scorch the or burn the cream and Parmesan cheese. It will hold on the low setting if it finishes before the pasta has finished cooking also.
- Start the pasta to cook at the beginning, drain it, toss with a drizzle of olive oil and set it aside. It is easy to reheat if it cools too much.
Nutrition
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