Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is an incredibly satisfying and flavorful pasta dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or entertaining. This recipe simplifies a rich, restaurant-quality experience, making it a go-to for busy home cooks seeking delicious, bold flavors.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 bell peppers (any color, e.g., red, green, yellow), deseeded and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or more, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces pasta of your choice (e.g., fettuccine, penne, rotini)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is your ticket to a gloriously flavorful and incredibly easy meal. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a dish that’s bursting with rich, savory spices and a lusciously creamy sauce, perfect for a quick yet impressive dinner. The simplicity of the steps means even novice cooks can achieve restaurant-quality results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.
Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt, black pepper, and about half of your Cajun seasoning.
Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Soften the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the same skillet. If the skillet seems dry, you can add another drizzle of olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, and the peppers are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
Infuse with Spice: Stir in the minced garlic, remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
Melt in the Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that Cajun seasoning can be salty, so taste before adding too much salt.
Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta immediately. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
You’ll adore this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta for its bold, zesty flavor that’s reminiscent of your favorite Southern-inspired dishes, but with an irresistible creamy twist. It’s a fantastic budget-friendly meal, offering a taste of indulgence that rivals expensive restaurant versions, all made in your own kitchen with simple, accessible ingredients. The delightful combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, spiced sauce, finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, creates a truly memorable dining experience.
Unlike a simple marinara or alfredo, this dish packs a punch with its unique Cajun seasoning profile, making every bite an adventure for your taste buds. It’s the perfect answer to “what’s for dinner?” when you’re craving something comforting yet exciting. So gather your ingredients, preheat your skillet, and get ready to create this crowd-pleasing masterpiece that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store leftover Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer the pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
For reheating, the best method is over low heat on the stovetop in a skillet. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Stir gently until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power, stirring halfway through, until warm. Freezing is also an option; store cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a wonderfully flavorful and remarkably easy dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Give it a try for a delicious meal that’s both comforting and exciting, and you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.8 ounces pasta of your choice
- While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt, black pepper, and about half of your Cajun seasoning.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the same skillet. If the skillet seems dry, you can add another drizzle of olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, and the peppers are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.1 medium onion, 2 bell peppers, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Stir in the minced garlic, remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that Cajun seasoning can be salty, so taste before adding too much salt.1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 8 ounces pasta of your choice
- Serve the Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta immediately. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.Fresh parsley