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
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
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Toss chicken strips with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
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In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the onion and bell peppers until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
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Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping the skillet to release flavor. Add smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened.
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Return chicken to the skillet, add pasta, and toss to coat. Stir in Parmesan cheese, adding a splash of pasta water if needed.
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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