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Quick Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A close-up of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles coated in a rich, orange-hued sauce with visible spices and chunks of chicken.
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Make this restaurant-style, creamy Cajun chicken pasta at home. This recipe delivers bold, spicy flavor and a rich sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight 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 (or more to taste)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced bell pepper (any color)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces generously with Cajun seasoning.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Do not boil.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
  9. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for an indulgent pasta dinner.

Notes

  • For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
  • You can substitute shrimp for the chicken for a spicy chicken pasta variation.
  • This recipe works well as a one pot cajun pasta if you cook the pasta directly in the broth/cream mixture, adding extra liquid as needed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe-quick-creamy/