Description
Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken seasoned with bold Cajun spices and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with fettuccine or linguine pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal offers a perfect balance of spicy heat, creamy texture, and savory depth making it an ideal quick weeknight dinner or a comforting, impressive meal for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized strips
Seasoning
- 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy & Fats
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized strips or cubes. Season them generously with Cajun seasoning to evenly coat each piece, infusing the chicken with authentic Cajun flavor.
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve one cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic. Cook until vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked, allowing the spice rub to form a flavorful crust.
- Make the creamy sauce: Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce is thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve desired consistency.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the creamy Cajun sauce. Let it cook together for another minute to meld flavors before serving.
Notes
- Season generously with Cajun spices for full flavor impact.
- Cook pasta al dente for the best texture and sauce adherence.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richer flavor and better melting.
- Adjust cream and seasoning to control spice heat level.
- Reserve pasta water to thin sauce without sacrificing richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg