Chicken alfredo pasta with caramelized acorn squash is the perfect fall spin on traditional chicken alfredo. It’s one big bowl of comfort!
As I was scrolling through the Cooking and Beer archives, I realized that I have yet to post an alfredo recipe on this website. I couldn’t believe it! When it comes to alfredo, I’m picky. I’m super picky. Whenever I crave alfredo, I have to make it myself. It has to be super buttery and packed full of cheese. Why do I feel like whenever you order alfredo at a restaurant there isn’t enough butter flavor?! I hate this. So, I make it myself.
This chicken alfredo pasta with caramelized acorn squash is my ode to the end of fall. Squash is so perfect this time of year. Feel free to substitute delicata squash or another squash to your liking. As we start to get closer to winter, winter squash will start to take over. This is the perfect dish to celebrate the most perfect time of year!
Beer I’ve been kind of obsessed with brown ales this fall. It’s interesting how the seasons change our tastebuds. When summer rolls around, I’m all about the IPAs, pale ales, and saisons. Once the weather starts to change towards snowier and cloudier days, I’m all about the maltier brews. This brings me to pairing a brown ale with this pasta dish. I love brown ales with comforting bowls of pasta, and the squash goes so perfectly well with a brown ale as well. The robust maltiness really elevates the cheesy alfredo! The pairing couldn’t be better. Give it a try!
Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Caramelized Acorn Squash
Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Caramelized Acorn Squash
Servings:
6 servingsNutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- nonstick olive oil cooking spray
- salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 lb small pasta I used rotini
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan plus extra for topping
- 1 acorn squash sliced and seeded (skin removed if desired)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- chopped fresh parsley, garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with a nonstick olive oil spray. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and spray the chicken with a nonstick olive oil spray (canola oil spray may be substituted). Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and cajun seasoning. Place it in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until cooked through. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- While the chicken is baking, prepare your pasta and squash. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and boil until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- While the pasta is boiling, prepare your alfredo sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of the butter. Whisk in the flour and allow it to bubble and turn a golden brown for about 2 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Continue whisking until slightly thickened. If you find that the sauce is too thick to your liking, add more heavy cream or milk until it reaches the consistency you desire. Remove from heat and stir in the parmesan cheese until melted. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss. Also add the chicken and toss. Cover the pasta and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the pasta to soak up some of the sauce, and it will also allow the sauce to thicken.
- While the pasta is sitting, prepare your squash. Whisk together the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil also to the pan. Add the squash and toss to coat in the butter mixture. Season the squash with the seasoning you created in the last step. Cook the squash for about 5 minutes on each side, or until brown and caramelized.
- Add the squash to the pasta and toss. Top with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Enjoy immediately!
NOTES
- I recommend removing the skin of the squash before caramelizing. I left it on because I like the way it photographs better with the skin on. ;)
6 Responses
Tried this recipe last night as a last minute decision and although I had to make a couple of substitutions due to not having 2 of the recommended ingredients, it turned out delicious! My family loved it! I had to substitute egg noodles for the rotini pasta as I only had angel hair pasta in the pantry and I used all spice instead of nutmeg . Also used a rotisserie chicken purchased at the grocers. Will definitely make this again but next time I’ll use the rotini and freshly grated nutmeg.