Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta blends smoky Cajun spices with rich cream, tender chicken, and sautéed peppers for the ultimate cozy-meets-bold weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin strips)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
- Salted water for boiling
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
- Extra grated parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and onion, sautéing for 1–2 minutes.
- Add bell peppers and cook for another 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir in parmesan, paprika, and thyme. Simmer for 3–5 minutes to thicken. Add pasta water if needed.
- Return chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss everything to coat well in the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with parsley and extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for the creamiest sauce. Add cayenne for extra heat or swap chicken for shrimp. Leftovers store well and reheat beautifully with a splash of cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired