This Shrimp and Chicken Alfredo combines juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken, tender shrimp, and fettuccine in a rich homemade Parmesan cream sauce. It's an easy restaurant-quality pasta dinner that comes together in 35 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or date night at home.
Easy to make and tastes super delicious! Great instructions with photos! Family loves this meal.
- our reader, Janice
About the Recipe
Everyone loves a delicious and easy pasta dinner, and this is it! This chicken and shrimp fettuccine Alfredo has tender shrimp, delicious chicken breast, and a creamy homemade Alfredo sauce.
Classic Alfredo gets an extra layer of flavor in this recipe from Cajun-seasoned chicken and shrimp. The homemade sauce stays simple with butter, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, and pasta water, so it still tastes like Alfredo rather than a completely different Cajun cream sauce.
I love serving with garlic bread and a simple side salad.
If you are looking for more shrimp recipes, check out our: Pan Seared Shrimp, Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta, Spicy Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Bread, Blackened Shrimp Bowls, or Colossal Baked Jumbo Shrimp.
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How to Make Creamy Shrimp and Chicken Alfredo
The key to a smooth Alfredo sauce is keeping the heat low once the cream and Parmesan are added. Let the butter and garlic cook first, then add the heavy cream and reduce the heat before gradually stirring in freshly grated Parmesan.
Reserve some pasta water before draining the fettuccine. The starch in the water helps loosen the sauce and allows it to coat the pasta evenly without adding more cream. Add the chicken and shrimp back at the very end so they warm through without overcooking.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-quality at home:Â Juicy chicken, tender shrimp, and a creamy homemade Parmesan sauce make this feel like something you'd order out.
- Easy enough for a weeknight:Â Even with both chicken and shrimp, this pasta comes together in about 35 minutes.
- Creamy with a little kick:Â Cajun seasoning adds smoky, savory flavor and just enough heat without overpowering the classic Alfredo sauce.
- A complete dinner in one bowl:Â With pasta, chicken, and shrimp all in one dish, you don't need much else to make it a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this easy shrimp recipe:
- Olive oil - Always choose a high quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Chicken - You will use two chicken breasts cut into strips.
- Shrimp - Use one pound of peeled and deveined raw shrimp.
- Cajun seasoning
- Pasta - I used fettuccine, but you can use penne pasta, rigatoni, or any kind of pasta you have on hand.
- Butter
- Garlic
- Heavy whipping cream
- Salt & black pepper
- Parmesan - You will use parmesan cheese in both the sauce and sprinkled on top as a garnish.
Directions
Let's make this chicken and shrimp pasta together!Â
Cook the chicken and shrimp
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, chicken and cajun seasoning. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta in a large pot of water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Make the sauce
While the pasta cooks, add melt butter and add garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant. Add the heavy cream to the skillet and reduce the heat to low.Â
Add salt, black pepper and 2 cups of parmesan cheese to the skillet. Whisk until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth.Â
Serve
Add the cooked chicken, cooked shrimp and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat. Add reserved pasta water to thin the sauce, as needed. Serve immediately.
Tina's Tips and Tricks
- Use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can keep it from melting smoothly into Alfredo sauce.
- Keep the sauce over low heat. High heat can cause the cream sauce to separate or make the Parmesan clump.
- Don't overcook the shrimp. Cook just until pink and opaque, then remove them from the skillet. They'll warm through again when added back to the finished pasta.
- Save your pasta water. Add it a little at a time until the sauce is glossy and coats the fettuccine.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this easy dinner idea recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Large skillet - You'll want a high quality large skillet with enough room to toss the chicken, shrimp and pasta with the sauce.
- Pasta Bowl - I love serving pasta in good quality pasta bowls. They're perfect for a variety of dishes, so they're super versatile!
- Fettuccine pasta - Buying quality pasta online is so easy. This fettuccine is super high quality and you can have it delivered straight to your house!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this chicken and shrimp alfredo pasta recipe:
- Herbs: Garnish with herbs like fresh parsley.Â
- Pasta: Feel free to use any pasta shape you prefer. Whole wheat pasta or gluten free pasta would also work in this dish.
- Cheese:Â Freshly grated Parmesan gives the sauce its classic flavor and smooth texture. Pecorino Romano can replace a small portion of the Parmesan for a sharper, saltier flavor, but I recommend keeping Parmesan as the primary cheese.
- Cajun seasoning: If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the cajun seasoning. Alternatively, if you love heat, increase the amount of cajun seasoning or add red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this delicious dinner:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp and chicken, but make sure to thaw them thoroughly before cooking.
You can use milk or a mixture of milk and cream, but the sauce might not be as rich and creamy.
Fettuccine pasta is the classic pasta choice for Alfredo, but you can use other similar pasta shapes like linguine or tagliatelle. Choose pasta with a rough surface to help the sauce adhere.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this simple recipe.
- Refrigerator Storage:Â Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 3 days.
- Reheating Instructions:Â The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Shrimp and Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts sliced in 2 in pieces
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 lb pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, chicken, and cajun seasoning to the pan. Cook for 4 minutes per side, until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add shrimp to the pan. Sear for 2-3 minutes, until cooked. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, add butter and garlic to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Add heavy cream. And reduce heat to low.
- Add salt, black pepper, and 2 cups parmesan cheese to the pan and whisk until cheese is melted.
- Add pasta, chicken, and shrimp to the skillet. Toss until combined, adding pasta water to thin the sauce as needed. Serve with additional parmesan cheese.
Video
Did You Make This Recipe?
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J Margheret says
Easy to make and tastes super delicious! Great instructions with photos! Family loves this meal.
Christina Musgrave says
Thank you so much!