Description
“Indulge in this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta – a flavorful, spicy, and comforting dish with tender chicken, a rich Parmesan cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes!”
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water.
2. Season and Cook the Chicken
- Toss chicken strips with Cajun seasoning until well coated.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter.
- Sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Add smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Combine Everything
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted into the sauce.
- Add cooked pasta, tossing to coat evenly. If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Return chicken to the skillet and mix with pasta.
- If using cherry tomatoes, toss them in.
5. Serve and Garnish
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Protein Swap: Use shrimp, sausage, or tofu instead of chicken.
- Lighter Option: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- Vegetable Additions: Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrients.
- Extra Heat: Increase Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, american
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun pasta recipe, spicy chicken pasta, easy pasta dinner, Cajun Alfredo