Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into small, bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 pound pasta
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chicken breasts into small, bite-sized cubes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a bowl, combine the chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure all chicken pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan and cook until it is browned on all sides and fully cooked through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
⏱️ 8 min
- 4
In the same pan (without cleaning it, utilizing the leftover fond), add the diced red onion, diced red bell pepper, and diced green bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Add the minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste to the pan with the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to integrate the tomato paste and garlic.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan, releasing any browned bits (fond) stuck to it, which will add flavor to the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer the sauce gently until it thickens slightly to your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
While the sauce is simmering, cook 1/2 pound of pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the cooked pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 10
Add the drained cooked pasta and the reserved cooked chicken back into the pan with the creamy Cajun sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 11
Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for a fresh, bright finish.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Serve the Cajun Chicken Pasta hot and enjoy.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cajun Chicken Pasta
For the Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into small, bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 pound pasta
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chicken breasts into small, bite-sized cubes.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a bowl, combine the chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure all chicken pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan and cook until it is browned on all sides and fully cooked through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
⏱️ 8 min - 4
In the same pan (without cleaning it, utilizing the leftover fond), add the diced red onion, diced red bell pepper, and diced green bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Add the minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste to the pan with the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to integrate the tomato paste and garlic.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan, releasing any browned bits (fond) stuck to it, which will add flavor to the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer the sauce gently until it thickens slightly to your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
While the sauce is simmering, cook 1/2 pound of pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the cooked pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 10
Add the drained cooked pasta and the reserved cooked chicken back into the pan with the creamy Cajun sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated.
⏱️ 3 min - 11
Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for a fresh, bright finish.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Serve the Cajun Chicken Pasta hot and enjoy.