Chicken alfredo is a simple enough, no-frills recipe.
You probably make it a couple of times a month thanks to how easy it is.
That said, sometimes simple can get boring, especially if you’re using jarred alfredo sauce that definitely needs to be kicked up a couple of notches.
Even if you’re a purist who thinks the sauce should just be butter, parmesan, and cream, no one said anything about seasoning chicken for alfredo pasta!
Here are 15 inspired chicken seasonings for alfredo worth saving for later.
These are far away from being bland or plain and will transform your dish into restaurant-quality chicken alfredo!
1. Spicy Cajun Seasoning
This is a classic pairing with chicken alfredo for a reason.
The earthy Cajun seasoning on the chicken goes perfectly with the creamy, slightly cheesy pasta sauce.
The great thing about this recipe from Berly’s Kitchen is that it comes together fairly quickly.
You can also adjust the chicken seasoning using more or less cajun spices as you want.
2. Garlic
Some people say that adding garlic to chicken alfredo is not authentic.
With all due respect to authentic Italian recipes, does it really matter?
Garlic with a creamy, cheesy sauce is a gift from the heavens.
So next time you’re seasoning chicken for alfredo pasta, add a clove (or ten!) of garlic.
3. Sriracha Seasoning
Sriracha is a fermented East Asian chili and garlic sauce that imparts a huge amount of flavor to anything it’s added to.
In dried form, like McCormick’s Sriracha Seasoning, it’s an absolute life-saver when it comes to last-minute preparations when you don’t have time to marinate.
This recipe from Plain Chicken is anything but plain.
The spicy, savory flavor of the chicken plays really nicely with the pasta.
I like to dress it up with an extra squeeze of Sriracha after plating.
You can never have too much chili garlic goodness!
4. Jalapeno Lime
Jalapeno lime is an interesting flavor combination with cheesy, creamy pasta, but boy, does it work!
I’ll admit, I was skeptical before I tried it out for myself.
But if you’re a fan of tangy, fruity, and slightly hot flavors, you are in for a treat!
If you don’t have fresh jalapenos, feel free to substitute pickled jalapenos.
While they’ll offer less fruitiness, they will give you a nice kick and great jalapeno flavor.
Just make sure you adjust the salt and acid levels so the pasta sauce doesn’t get too salty or overpoweringly sour.
5. Dried Oregano & Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Dried herbs are an amazing secret weapon to have in your pantry.
They last forever, unlike fresh herbs, and have just as much power to flavor and enrich a dish.
Adding dried oregano and extra virgin olive oil to your chicken can add a ton of flavor to your final alfredo pasta.
Just make sure not to burn the oil, since it has a low smoke point.
Instead, you can cook the chicken first in neutral oil and then drizzle the good stuff as a final touch.
6. Blackening Seasoning
Blackening is a Southern spice blend that’s similar to Cajun seasoning, but has a milder, less-spicy flavor.
It’s used on grilled or smoked meats to make a crust that darkens in color, and that’s where it gets its name from.
When used on chicken, it offers a delicious smoky, earthy aroma that goes great with the chicken and the pasta.
This is perfect for those who like a ton of flavor but not a lot of spice.
You don’t have to tear up while seasoning chicken for alfredo!
7. Bacon & Mushrooms
Bacon & mushrooms are two words that translate to joy & happiness.
I don’t know about you, but the idea of adding bacon to pretty much anything just whets my appetite.
The smoky, rich, salty flavor pairs so well with the mild pasta and chicken.
Add the meaty savoriness of sauteed mushrooms, and you’re in for a pasta dish you’ll come for time and time again.
And the best part is:
You can cook the chicken right into the pan where you cooked the bacon, and you’ll get the delicious flavor permeating throughout the whole dish. Perfection!
8. Herbes de Provence
Herbes de Provence is a special kind of dried herb mix.
Besides the usual suspects you can use to flavor poultry, like thyme and rosemary, you also get marjoram and lavender to add a nice, aromatic flair.
The best part is:
It keeps forever in your pantry!
You can use it whenever you feel like it.
Just keep in mind that, like other dried herbs, it loses its flavor with thyme.
Get it? Thyme?
I’ll let it go.
9. Fajita Seasoning
Fajitas are an enticing show.
Just think of the sizzling hot cast iron skillets they’re served on in restaurants, all the smoke, and the wonderful aroma!
Impressive, right?
While it is impressive, it can also be the best seasoning for chicken alfredo!
All you have to do is just coat the chicken, bell peppers, and onions in the super flavorful, premade fajita spice mix.
It’s all a matter of cooking the pasta and making the sauce, and voila!
You have a gorgeous plate of fajita alfredo chicken pasta in no time!
10. Basil Pesto
When Italian food is mentioned, most of us think of super-rich ragu cheese sauce recipes and deeply flavored tomato sauces.
That’s not all there is to it, though!
Italian food can also be the super light basil pesto in this recipe.
It brightens up the dish and makes it less heavy.
But don’t worry, it’s every bit as comforting!
11. Southwestern Spices
Southwestern flavors came to prominence when chain restaurants like TGI Friday’s and Chilli’s made them a staple on their menus.
And this reputation is deserved!
These flavors are both fresh and warm, making for a great addition to a comforting dish like alfredo pasta.
In this recipe by Diethood, the pasta you use is Cavatappi and it’s the perfect choice for this sauce.
In contrast to flat pastas, like fettuccine and tagliatelle, the curly pasta with a cavity sucks up and holds on to all the delicious sauce.
12. Sun-dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes are one of those ingredients you either love or hate.
The process of drying the tomatoes makes their flavor more concentrated.
But in a dish like this, it gets diluted by the creamy, cheesy goodness of the alfredo sauce.
This make it one of the best ingredients to serve with fettuccini alfredo dishes.
Even if you’re not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, give this a try and it might change your mind!
13. Taco Seasoning
Just like all the other Mexican-inspired seasonings on this list, Taco seasoning had to make an appearance.
Whether you buy premade mixes or make your own, this one is guaranteed to make it into your regular recipe rotation.
The addition of the salsa to the alfredo sauce makes it muy delicioso!
14. Lemon Pepper Chicken Alfredo
A simple classic for a reason, lemon pepper seasoning is probably in every pantry and/or spice rack.
I know that the fragrant citrus flavor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but in this recipe, it sure works!
I also love how the addition of asparagus and mushrooms cuts right through the richness of the cream and parmesan and just makes the whole dish lighter.
15. Fresh Parsley
Many people think of parsley as a garnish or a “token green speck” in their food.
Au contraire! Fresh parsley adds a ton of flavor to sauces that would otherwise be too heavy.
If you have a bunch, pick some leaves and chop them up really fine before tossing them in your alfredo sauce.
Just try to make it a last-minute addition, since the chopped leaves could oxidize and darken.
What seasoning to use for chicken alfredo?
There are so many different seasonings you can use to spice up classic chicken alfredo pasta.
The plain creamy, cheesy base makes for the perfect blank canvas to each you can add a ton of flavor.
You can find inspiration in this list for the best chicken alfredo seasonings!

The Best Seasoning for Chicken Alfredo: 15 Out-of-the-Box Ideas for the Classic Dish
Ingredients
- Spicy Cajun Seasoning
- Garlic
- Sriracha Seasoning
- Jalapeno Lime
- Dried Oregano & Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Blackening Seasoning
- Bacon & Mushrooms
- Herbes de Provence
- Fajita Seasoning
- Basil Pesto
- Southwestern Spices
- Sun-dried Tomatoes
- Taco Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper
- Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Choose your desired Chicken Alfredo seasoning recipe.
- Gather and organize needed ingredients.
- Create tasty seasonings for Chicken Alfredo to complete your meal!