Description
Savory Cajun Chicken Pasta blends spicy Southern flavors with silky pasta and tender chicken. Bold Creole seasonings and rich cream sauce create a mouthwatering meal you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for extra heat
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Generously coat chicken breasts with a robust blend of Cajun seasoning, creating a vibrant, spicy exterior.
- Warm a combination of olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a golden cooking surface around 350°F.
- Sear seasoned chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, ensuring a crispy golden-brown crust and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into tender strips.
- Deglaze the same skillet with chicken broth, scraping up flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a velvety sauce that simmers and thickens for approximately 5 minutes.
- Gradually whisk parmesan cheese into the sauce until completely melted and smooth.
- Fold the reserved pasta into the creamy mixture, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
- Arrange sliced chicken atop the pasta, creating an attractive presentation.
- Optionally, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley for a bright, herbal finish.
- Serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot and sauce is at its most luxurious consistency.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by using mild or hot blends to match your heat tolerance.
- Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.
- Use coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, healthier sauce version that still maintains creamy texture.
- Slice chicken and measure spices beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce overall preparation time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg