Cajun Chicken Alfredo

This is probably in my top ten favorite meals. It's so good, I made it twice in one week. Sun-dried tomatoes can be  bit pricey, but don't leave them out! They really make this dish!

(Adapted from Guy Fieri)


Ingredients:

• Kosher salt
• Two 5-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Blackening Spice Rub, recipe follows
• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup roughly chopped marinated sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/2 pound fettuccine
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion, for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over very high heat.
4. Dredge the chicken breasts in the Blackening Spice Rub.
5. Place in the cast-iron skillet. Blacken both sides of the chicken, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
6. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and place in the oven until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 10 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and slice the chicken into strips on the bias.
8. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. 
9. Add the garlic and lightly brown it, 2 to 3 minutes. 
10. Stir in the wine. Pour in the heavy cream, bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is reduced by half. 
11. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and chicken slices.
12. Meanwhile, cook the fettuccine al dente, according to the package directions. Drain.
13. When the cream sauce is at the desired consistency, stir in 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, the sea salt, pepper and pasta.
14. To serve, toss the pasta with the cream sauce and serve on large rimmed plates. Garnish with the green onions and the remaining parmesan.

Blackening Spice Rub:

• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
• 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons granulated onion
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Combine the garlic, black pepper, salt cumin, onion, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika and chili powder in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.