Description
Creamy pasta with Cajun spices and tender chicken, perfect for family gatherings or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- Salt, for the pasta water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- Sautéed vegetables (optional)
- Shrimp (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side until it turns golden brown. Once done, remove the chicken and let it rest.
- While the chicken is resting, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. After cooking, drain the pasta, but don’t forget to reserve some pasta water for later!
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until it becomes fragrant—around a minute should do. Next, stir in the Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Let it all simmer for about 3-5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Mix the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until it melts beautifully. Slice the rested chicken and add the drained pasta to the skillet, mixing everything thoroughly. If the sauce seems too thick, adjust it to your liking by adding some reserved pasta water. Season with more salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes for an added kick. Right before serving, drizzle some fresh lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt. You can also customize the spiciness by adjusting the Cajun seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner, family meal, weeknight recipe