Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the rest. Set the cooked pasta aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving any drippings in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the diced yellow onion, minced garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Reduce heat to low and stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it's fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, as desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine or penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the rest. Set the cooked pasta aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving any drippings in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the diced yellow onion, minced garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Reduce heat to low and stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it's fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, as desired.
⏱️ 1 min