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Easy 30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A fork lifts a generous portion of creamy Cajun chicken pasta, coated in sauce and cheese, from a white plate.
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Make restaurant-style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta quickly. This recipe delivers bold Cajun spice and a rich, velvety cream sauce in about 30 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the chopped bell pepper and onion. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
  5. Add the minced garlic and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Do not let the sauce boil after adding the cheese.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated.
  9. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the spices.
  • You can substitute shrimp for chicken for a Cajun Shrimp Pasta variation.
  • If you do not have heavy cream, you can substitute half-and-half, but the sauce will be thinner.
  • Use store-bought Cajun seasoning blends, or mix your own using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe/