Description
This creamy Cajun chicken pasta dish combines tender, spiced chicken breasts with a rich, velvety Cajun cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. Bursting with bold Cajun seasoning and smoky paprika, the sauce is balanced by Parmesan cheese and heavy cream for indulgent comfort food with a spicy kick. Easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish can be customized with shrimp or sautéed vegetables for extra nutrition and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- Salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Optional Garnishes and Variations:
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh lemon juice
- Sautéed bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms
- Shrimp (as a substitute for chicken)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to ensure the chicken is flavorful throughout.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Slice the Chicken: After resting, slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces and set aside while preparing pasta and sauce.
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and toss with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, avoiding burning.
- Add Spices: Stir in 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Let them bloom in the butter for 1 minute to enhance flavors.
- Add Cream and Broth: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup chicken broth. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce is creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning if needed.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick to achieve desired consistency.
- Add Chicken and Combine: Add sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together so chicken is evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Optionally, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer flavor and juicier texture.
- Substitute penne with fettuccine, spaghetti, or any favorite pasta shape.
- Reserve pasta water helps adjust sauce thickness and binds sauce to pasta.
- Make your own Cajun seasoning by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Add sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms to boost nutrition and flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk but expect a thinner sauce.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or reducing Cajun seasoning and adding red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Use fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the dish and cut through richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, Cajun seasoning recipe, easy weeknight dinner, creamy Cajun sauce
