Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Cajun Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the ground paprika, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Mix well to create the Cajun seasoning blend. Set aside half of this blend for the sauce later.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken breasts thoroughly with the reserved half of the Cajun seasoning blend.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tablespoon of salt) to a rolling boil over high heat for the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Heat the cooking oil in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until browned. For the last 2 minutes of cooking, cover the pan to ensure the chicken cooks through and remains juicy.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
While the chicken cooks, add the bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm, then slice into strips.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
In the same sauté pan (do not clean it), melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Pour in the heavy whipping cream, then add the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining half of the Cajun seasoning blend. Whisk continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to thicken, about 3 to 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Add the cooked and drained bow tie pasta directly to the sauce in the pan. Stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy Cajun sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Serve the pasta in bowls, topping each serving with the sliced Cajun chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Cajun Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
For Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the ground paprika, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Mix well to create the Cajun seasoning blend. Set aside half of this blend for the sauce later.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken breasts thoroughly with the reserved half of the Cajun seasoning blend.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tablespoon of salt) to a rolling boil over high heat for the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Heat the cooking oil in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until browned. For the last 2 minutes of cooking, cover the pan to ensure the chicken cooks through and remains juicy.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
While the chicken cooks, add the bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm, then slice into strips.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
In the same sauté pan (do not clean it), melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Pour in the heavy whipping cream, then add the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining half of the Cajun seasoning blend. Whisk continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to thicken, about 3 to 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Add the cooked and drained bow tie pasta directly to the sauce in the pan. Stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy Cajun sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Serve the pasta in bowls, topping each serving with the sliced Cajun chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 1 min