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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe perfect for spicy weeknight dinners, featuring a rich, velvety sauce with smoky and spicy notes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 8 ounces (225 g) penne or fettuccine pasta (regular or gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: squeeze of lemon juice
  • Optional: splash of white wine

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  2. Toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
  3. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.
  4. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  5. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream and 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth. Stir in 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
  6. Stir in 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add drained pasta. Toss everything together, coating the pasta evenly with the creamy, spicy sauce. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and a pinch more Cajun seasoning if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Keep heat moderate when simmering the sauce to avoid curdling the cream. Taste and adjust seasoning as you go. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Avoid overcooking chicken to prevent rubbery texture. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For less spicy, omit cayenne pepper and increase smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, Cajun seasoning, chicken pasta

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe-perfect-for-spicy-weeknight-dinners/