Print

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

creamy cajun chicken pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe with bold spices, tender chicken, and a velvety sauce perfect for cozy dinners and weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (red or green)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 grams)
  • 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 grams) of penne or fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  2. In a bowl, toss 1 pound (450 grams) of chicken breast pieces with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Make sure each piece is evenly coated.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Toss in 1 cup (150 grams) of diced bell peppers and 3 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  5. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) of chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then stir in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream and ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce starts to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, then add the drained pasta. Toss gently to coat everything in the creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top for garnish.

Notes

Do not rush searing the chicken to get a nice crust. Keep heat medium-low when simmering cream to avoid curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-bold-spices-dinner/