Description
Creamy, spicy Cajun chicken pasta with tender chicken, bell peppers, and a rich sauce ready in just 30 minutes. Restaurant-quality flavor at home!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium bell peppers, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- 2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season generously with half the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- 4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic, onions, and bell peppers until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
- 5. Add chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- 6. Stir in heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning, bringing to a gentle simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- 7. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- 8. Return chicken to the skillet and add cooked pasta, tossing everything together. Add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
- 9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess. Adjust Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level. For a lighter version, substitute half the cream with chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 42g