Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender Cajun-spiced chicken with sautéed bell peppers and onion, all tossed in a rich, creamy sauce and served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. This recipe offers a delightful blend of smoky, spicy, and cheesy flavors, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon pepper, divided
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter, divided
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (any color, recommended red)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup fresh parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: In a large ziplock bag, combine 3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake until the chicken is evenly coated with seasoning. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook them until browned and just cooked through, cooking in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan and melt. Add diced onion and sliced bell peppers, cooking and stirring frequently for about 3 to 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream along with smoked paprika, dried basil, garlic powder, remaining 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Stir in the parmesan cheese, then add the warm, drained pasta. Stir everything together until the cheese melts and the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- You can replace penne with your favorite pasta such as linguine for a different texture.
- “Slap Ya Mama” brand Cajun seasoning is highly recommended for authentic flavor, but any Cajun seasoning blend works.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the sauce will be less creamy when reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
