Description
This Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is a flavorful and creamy dish featuring tender, spicy chicken breasts sautéed with vibrant bell peppers, tossed with pasta and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it combines the smoky essence of Cajun seasoning with a luscious, cheesy sauce for a true comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the fettuccine or penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Rub the chicken breasts evenly with Cajun seasoning on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown on the outside. Remove from the skillet and let rest, then slice thinly.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers and sauté for about 4 to 5 minutes until they are just tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and simmer the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together carefully to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce. Serve the Cajun chicken pasta hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of your favorite hot sauce when cooking the sauce.
- Feel free to substitute the chicken with shrimp or sausage for a different protein option.
- To lighten the dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream without compromising creaminess.
