Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
A bold, creamy pasta dish with Cajun spice and seared chicken, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Pescatarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- Salt, for the pasta water
- 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)
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh lemon juice, to taste
- Sautéed vegetables (optional)
- Shrimp (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by patting it dry and seasoning with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden. Remove and let rest.
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic. Add Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika, then pour in chicken broth. Add heavy cream, bring to a simmer, and thicken the sauce. Stir in Parmesan and adjust consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Combine the cooked pasta and sliced chicken with the sauce, finishing with lemon juice and parsley.
Notes
For added flavor, serve with sautéed vegetables or substitute chicken with shrimp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg