Description
Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, creamy, and mildly spicy dish combining tender, seasoned chicken with a rich Cajun cream sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, customizable to your spice preference and dietary needs, and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (store-bought or homemade with paprika, cayenne, and thyme)
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Chicken: Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Generously coat the chicken with Cajun seasoning and let it rest for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté Chicken and Vegetables: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan. In the same skillet, add diced onions, garlic, and bell peppers and sauté until softened.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently to thicken slightly. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the sauce, then toss in the cooked pasta. Mix thoroughly so the pasta is well coated with the creamy, spicy sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired before serving.
Notes
- Season Generously: Use plenty of Cajun seasoning for bold flavor.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and bell peppers brighten the dish.
- Control the Spice: Adjust cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Adding pasta water helps the sauce cling to the noodles better.
- Cook Chicken Evenly: Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a good sear.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, quick dinner, one pot pasta, Cajun recipe, family-friendly pasta
