Description
A rich and flavorful Cajun Chicken Pasta with tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, and a creamy Cajun-spiced sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining, this dish combines bold flavors with comforting textures in under an hour.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
Toss chicken strips with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the onion and bell peppers until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping the skillet to release flavor. Add smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened.
Return chicken to the skillet, add pasta, and toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan cheese, adding a splash of pasta water if needed.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
Use a heavy skillet to achieve a good sear on the chicken.
Adjust Cajun seasoning for more or less heat.
Best served fresh; leftovers may need extra cream or broth to revive sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun / American Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: ~650 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg