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The Ultimate 30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A close-up of rich, orange-hued creamy cajun chicken pasta served on a square white plate, garnished with parsley.
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Make this restaurant-style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta quickly. This recipe delivers bold Cajun flavor and a rich cream sauce for a satisfying weeknight chicken dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (use more for extra spice)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Set aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan 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 skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
  5. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
  8. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Serve immediately. Garnish your flavorful chicken pasta with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the Cajun seasoning mix.
  • You can substitute shrimp for the chicken for a delicious seafood variation.
  • If you do not have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce will be thinner.
  • Use your favorite pasta shape; penne or rotini work well to hold the rich sauce.

Nutrition

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