High Protein Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Air Fryer Recipe)

This creamy Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Mac and Cheese is air-fried for a crispy golden top and loaded with 45g of protein per serving. Made with cheddar, Gruyère, and pub cheddar cheese for the perfect spicy, cheesy bite in every cup.

This dish hits the perfect mix of creamy, cheesy comfort with spicy Cajun heat. The air fryer gives it that crunchy golden top without needing the oven — and the protein count keeps it guilt-free. Perfect for meal prep, game day, or a weeknight dinner that looks and tastes next-level.

Serving Size: 1 cup Calories: ~500 Protein: ~45 g Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the protein:

• 6 oz chicken breast, diced (air-fried with Cajun seasoning)
• 4 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined (air-fried with Cajun seasoning)

For the mac base:

• 1 cup high-protein pasta (like Barilla Protein+ or Banza chickpea pasta)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup 2% milk
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
• ½ oz pub cheddar cheese or cheese spread
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the topping:

• ¼ cup crushed corn flakes
• Cooking spray (avocado oil or olive oil)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the roux In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute until it forms a smooth paste.
3. Create the cheese sauce Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Add cheddar, Gruyère, and pub cheddar. Stir until melted and creamy. Mix in Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Combine and layer Stir the cooked pasta, air-fried chicken, and shrimp into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
5. Add the crispy topping Transfer to an oven-safe dish or foil pan. Top with crushed corn flakes and a light spray of oil.
6. Air fry until golden Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes , until the top is crisp and bubbling.

Nutrition (per 1 cup serving)

Nutrient

Amount

Calories

~500 kcal

Protein

~45 g

Carbs

~25 g

Fat

~20 g

Fiber

~3 g

High Protein Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Air Fryer Recipe)

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Servings: 1 cup

Calories: 500

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

For the protein

• 6 oz chicken breast, diced (air-fried with Cajun seasoning)
• 4 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined (air-fried with Cajun seasoning)

For the mac base

• 1 cup high-protein pasta (like Barilla Protein+ or Banza chickpea pasta)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup 2% milk
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
• ½ oz pub cheddar cheese or cheese spread
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the topping

• ¼ cup crushed corn flakes
• Cooking spray (avocado oil or olive oil)

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the roux In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute until it forms a smooth paste.
3. Create the cheese sauce Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Add cheddar, Gruyère, and pub cheddar. Stir until melted and creamy. Mix in Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Combine and layer Stir the cooked pasta, air-fried chicken, and shrimp into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
5. Add the crispy topping Transfer to an oven-safe dish or foil pan. Top with crushed corn flakes and a light spray of oil.
6. Air fry until golden Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes , until the top is crisp and bubbling.