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The Ultimate Quick & Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A close-up serving of creamy Cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles coated in an orange sauce and topped with seasoned chicken pieces and fresh parsley.
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Make restaurant-style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta at home in under 40 minutes. This recipe delivers rich flavor and satisfying spice perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 pound fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (use your favorite blend)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the chopped onion and bell peppers. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the minced garlic and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  8. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Do not let the sauce boil after adding the cheese.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
  10. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
  11. Taste and adjust salt or Cajun seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a bolder flavor, make your own homemade Cajun seasoning blend using paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme.
  • If you prefer shrimp over chicken, substitute the chicken with 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp, cooking them for only 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
  • This recipe works well with penne, fettuccine, or rotini pasta shapes.

Nutrition

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