Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a delightful and hearty dish that promises to awaken your taste buds with its bold flavors and creamy texture. This one-pot wonder combines tender chicken breasts, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, spicy cream sauce that envelops every bite. Ideal for busy weeknights or special gatherings, this recipe allows for quick preparation while offering the flexibility to customize with various vegetables or proteins like shrimp.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (for garnish)
- Fresh lemon juice (for garnish)
- Sautéed vegetables (optional)
- Shrimp (optional)
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and chop garlic and any desired vegetables.
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; season chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear until golden brown on both sides (about 5-7 minutes per side). Remove from skillet and slice into strips once rested.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then stir in Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth; simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add sliced chicken and drained pasta to the skillet; toss to combine until well coated in sauce.
- Serve hot garnished with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or sautéed vegetables as desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 350g)
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: To customize the spice level, adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning used. For added nutrition, mix in sautéed spinach or bell peppers before serving. Substitute chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist.