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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful weeknight dinner combining tender, Cajun-spiced chicken with a velvety cream sauce that perfectly coats your choice of pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this indulgent yet quick recipe is customizable, family-friendly, and a comforting one-pot meal bursting with smoky spice and creamy goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, sliced into bite-sized pieces

Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper)

Pasta

  • 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

Dairy & Fats

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss thoroughly with Cajun seasoning to ensure every piece is well-coated with the smoky, spicy blend.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water for later use in adjusting sauce consistency.
  3. Sauté the Chicken and Vegetables: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan. In the same skillet, add diced onions, garlic, and bell peppers (if using). Sauté until soft and fragrant.
  4. Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine with the cooked vegetables and browned bits left from the chicken. Add grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of reserved pasta water, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
  5. Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss everything together so the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. Let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld beautifully.

Notes

  • Coat chicken thoroughly with Cajun seasoning for even spice distribution.
  • Cook pasta until just al dente to prevent mushy texture after tossing in the sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • Keep heat moderate when adding cream to avoid curdling.
  • Allow sauce to simmer briefly with chicken and pasta for maximum flavor fusion.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Spicy Pasta, One-Pot Pasta

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta/