Description
Cajun chicken pasta delight brings zesty Southern flavors dancing across your plate with bold spices and creamy sauce. Hearty ingredients meld together effortlessly, creating a quick and satisfying meal that beckons you to savor each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Pasta and Liquid:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne or fettuccine pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Generously coat chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Preheat a large pot over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil, creating a smooth cooking surface.
- Sear chicken chunks until they develop a golden-brown exterior and are thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Transfer chicken to a separate plate, keeping the flavorful cooking residue in the pot.
- Melt butter in the same pot, releasing its rich, nutty aroma.
- Introduce diced onions and minced garlic, stirring continuously until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add colorful bell peppers, sautéing until they soften slightly and release their natural sweetness.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil.
- Carefully add pasta, stirring intermittently to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking.
- Reduce heat and incorporate heavy cream, creating a luxurious base for the sauce.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and additional Cajun seasoning, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
- Reintroduce the cooked chicken into the pot, gently folding to coat each piece with the creamy sauce.
- Fine-tune seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately, accompanied by garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- Swap out heavy cream for Greek yogurt or coconut milk to create a lighter, healthier version of this creamy pasta.
- Toast the Cajun seasoning briefly in the pot before adding other ingredients to enhance its deep, smoky flavor profile.
- For gluten-free needs, replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta to maintain the dish’s hearty texture.
- Dial down the heat by using a mild Cajun seasoning blend or reducing the amount if you prefer less spiciness, perfect for sensitive palates.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg