Ingredients
- For the blackened chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- For the cilantro jalapeño sauce:
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the pasta:
- 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Pat chicken dry. Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl.
- Rub chicken with olive oil and coat evenly with seasoning mixture.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
- In a blender, combine cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, Parmesan, heavy cream, sour cream, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Return pasta to pot over low heat. Add sauce and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen.
- Serve pasta topped with sliced blackened chicken. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Remove all jalapeño seeds for milder heat.
- Do not overcook chicken to keep it juicy.
- Add pasta water gradually to control sauce consistency.
- Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
