Description
Experience a flavor explosion with this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, combining tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, and al dente pasta in a rich cream sauce. Perfect for a weeknight meal or an impressive dinner for guests!
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Cajun seasoning
- Fettuccine or linguine pasta
- Heavy cream
- Onion
- Bell peppers (red, green, and yellow)
- Fresh garlic
- Chicken broth
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces, dice your onion and bell peppers, and mince your garlic. Measure out your Cajun seasoning, heavy cream, chicken broth, and grate your Parmesan cheese.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with half of your Cajun seasoning and cook for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add the remaining olive oil and a pat of butter. Sauté the diced onion and bell peppers for 5-7 minutes, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Build the Creamy Cajun Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer, then gradually stir in the heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce and add the drained pasta. Toss gently to coat everything in the sauce.
- Add Parmesan and Garnish: Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary, then serve immediately garnished with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Be generous with Cajun seasoning for the best flavor. Use al dente pasta to prevent mushiness, and reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan enhances the sauce's creaminess.