Description
Enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal with this Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe. Tender chicken strips are cooked in a creamy Cajun sauce and tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. A touch of heat and a burst of flavors make this dish a favorite for pasta lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Cook in olive oil until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic, peppers, and onion until softened. Add cream, broth, Parmesan, paprika, red pepper flakes, and Cajun seasoning. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to the skillet, add cooked pasta, and toss until well coated.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more Cajun seasoning or hot sauce.
- This dish also works well with shrimp instead of chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
