Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, bold Cajun seasoning, and a rich garlic cream sauce tossed with pasta. This recipe balances smoky spice with silky comfort, perfect for family dinners or a restaurant-style meal at home.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
12 oz penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
Salt, for the pasta water
For the Sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Optional Garnishes and Variations:
Red pepper flakes
Fresh lemon juice
Sautéed vegetables (bell peppers, onions, spinach, mushrooms)
Shrimp (instead of chicken)
Instructions
1. Season the Chicken: Coat chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sear chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove and rest.
3. Slice the Chicken: After resting, slice into strips and set aside.
4. Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
5. Start the Sauce: Melt butter in the skillet, sauté garlic 1-2 minutes.
6. Bloom Spices: Stir in Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika for 1 minute.
7. Add Liquids: Pour in cream and chicken broth, simmer 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
8. Add Cheese: Stir in Parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth.
9. Combine Pasta: Toss cooked pasta into sauce, add reserved water if needed.
10. Add Chicken: Mix in sliced chicken, coating everything evenly.
11. Finish: Garnish with parsley, Parmesan, or lemon juice before serving.
Notes
For extra spice, add red pepper flakes.
Use thighs instead of breasts for juicier chicken.
Add sautéed vegetables for flavor and nutrition.
Replace chicken with shrimp for a seafood variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 125mg