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Easy 30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

A close-up, appetizing shot of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles and seasoned chicken chunks.
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Make this restaurant-style creamy Cajun chicken pasta quickly. This recipe delivers bold, spicy flavor and a velvety sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
  • 1 pound fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.
  3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Do not boil.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the spicy cream sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For an even bolder flavor, use a high-quality, fresh Cajun seasoning blend.
  • You can substitute shrimp for the chicken for a different take on this creamy Cajun chicken pasta.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the heavy cream simmer for an extra minute or two before adding the cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/creamycajunchickenpasta/