Description
This Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and satisfying dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken strips with a rich, creamy sauce tossed with pasta, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s packed with bold spices and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce that brings a comforting yet spicy twist to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (sliced)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the fettuccine or penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, keeping it warm.
- Season the chicken: While the pasta cooks, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning onto the sliced chicken breasts, coating evenly.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook them for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Combine sauce ingredients: Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Add vegetables: Mix in the cherry tomatoes and sliced bell peppers, cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Finish and toss: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Season and garnish: Taste the dish, adjust salt and pepper as needed, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning; adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing the amount as preferred.
- For a lighter variation, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream to reduce richness.
- Add spinach or mushrooms to incorporate more vegetables and enhance flavor.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best creamy texture of the sauce.
- Make sure not to overcook pasta to maintain perfect bite and prevent mushiness.
