Description
Creamy Cajun Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and bold Cajun spices in a rich, silky Parmesan cream sauce. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner and can be customized with shrimp, sausage, or vegetables to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Pasta and Protein
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, linguine, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce later.
- Prepare the chicken: Toss the chicken pieces in Cajun seasoning until well-coated. This will infuse the chicken with bold flavor.
- Sauté the chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and butter until melted and hot. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Season and garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun pasta warm, accompanied by your favorite sides like garlic bread or a green salad.
Notes
- Substitute chicken with shrimp, sausage, steak, or vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli for variation.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning or add red pepper flakes to modify the spice level.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to loosen sauce.
- For a lighter sauce, you can use milk in place of heavy cream, though the richness will be reduced.
- Freezing is possible but may affect the creamy sauce texture; refrigeration is recommended for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
