Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 chicken breast, sliced in half
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon oil
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup pasta water
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 pound rotini pasta
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breast, sliced in half (butterflied or thin cutlets), on a cutting board. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil over both sides of the chicken breasts.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt (if using), black pepper, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika on both sides, rubbing to ensure even distribution.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of additional oil if needed. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
⏱️ 16 min
- 4
Rest the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a clean plate or cutting board to rest. This will keep it juicy.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Sauté aromatics: In the same pan (do not clean it, as the fond adds flavor), add 1/2 stick of butter. Once melted, add the 1/2 diced white onion and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Add garlic: Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the pan and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Simmer the cream: Pour 2 cups of heavy cream into the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Season the sauce: Season the sauce with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Add pasta water and cheese: Add 1/2 cup of pasta water to the sauce and stir. Then, stir in 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Add parsley to sauce: Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley into the sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Cook the pasta: While the sauce is simmering, in a separate pot, bring a generous amount of water to a rolling boil. Add salt to the boiling water, then add 1/4 pound of rotini pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente.
⏱️ 10 min
- 12
Combine pasta and sauce: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it directly to the sauce in the pan. Stir the pasta into the sauce until it is thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 13
Slice chicken and serve: Slice the cooked chicken breast into strips or bite-sized pieces. To serve, portion the creamy Cajun pasta into bowls. Top each serving with the sliced chicken.
⏱️ 2 min - 14
Garnish and enjoy: Garnish with additional shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
For the Chicken
- 1 chicken breast, sliced in half
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon oil
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup pasta water
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 pound rotini pasta
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breast, sliced in half (butterflied or thin cutlets), on a cutting board. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil over both sides of the chicken breasts.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt (if using), black pepper, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika on both sides, rubbing to ensure even distribution.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of additional oil if needed. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
⏱️ 16 min - 4
Rest the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a clean plate or cutting board to rest. This will keep it juicy.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Sauté aromatics: In the same pan (do not clean it, as the fond adds flavor), add 1/2 stick of butter. Once melted, add the 1/2 diced white onion and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Add garlic: Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to the pan and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Simmer the cream: Pour 2 cups of heavy cream into the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Season the sauce: Season the sauce with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Add pasta water and cheese: Add 1/2 cup of pasta water to the sauce and stir. Then, stir in 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Add parsley to sauce: Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley into the sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Cook the pasta: While the sauce is simmering, in a separate pot, bring a generous amount of water to a rolling boil. Add salt to the boiling water, then add 1/4 pound of rotini pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente.
⏱️ 10 min - 12
Combine pasta and sauce: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it directly to the sauce in the pan. Stir the pasta into the sauce until it is thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 13
Slice chicken and serve: Slice the cooked chicken breast into strips or bite-sized pieces. To serve, portion the creamy Cajun pasta into bowls. Top each serving with the sliced chicken.
⏱️ 2 min - 14
Garnish and enjoy: Garnish with additional shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
⏱️ 1 min