Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces seasoned with Cajun spices, sautéed with bell peppers and onions, and tossed in a rich, creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Served over perfectly cooked penne pasta, this recipe combines spicy, smoky, and savory notes for a hearty meal perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1″ pieces
Seasoning
- 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon pepper, divided
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Vegetables
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (any color, preferred red)
Dairy
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ⅓ cup fresh Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: In a large Ziploc bag, combine 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake well to coat the chicken evenly. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and just cooked through, about 6-8 minutes depending on size. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Remove cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and melt. Add the sliced bell peppers and diced onion, cooking and stirring frequently for about 3-5 minutes, until they begin to soften.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then add smoked paprika, dried basil, garlic powder, the remaining 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Warm through and serve immediately, optionally topped with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Pasta: Penne is recommended for this recipe, but linguine or other pasta shapes can be used as preferred.
- Seasoning: The “Slap Ya Mama” brand Cajun seasoning works great to add authentic flavor, but any quality Cajun seasoning can be substituted.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating may reduce creaminess, but the dish will still be delicious.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
