Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a delightful dish that brings together the bold flavors of Cajun cuisine with the creamy, comforting texture of pasta. This recipe is a perfect meal for weeknights when you want something quick yet satisfying. It combines tender chicken, rich cream, and a blend of spices that will tantalize your taste buds.

Why make this recipe

This recipe is not just about flavor; it’s about simplicity and versatility too. Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy way to elevate a regular dinner into a restaurant-quality experience right at home. It’s a one-skillet meal that saves on cleanup while delivering a hearty, filling dish. Plus, the flavors are easily customizable based on your preferences, making it a great option for anyone looking to explore Cajun cuisine without complex techniques.

How to make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. While the oil is heating, season both sides of the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a cutting board to rest for a few minutes.
5. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
6. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden.
7. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
8. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
9. Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth.
10. While the sauce is simmering, cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package directions.
11. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
12. Slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips.
13. Add the drained fettuccine pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly.
14. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
15. Stir in the chopped parsley and lemon juice, and then add the sliced chicken on top of the pasta.
16. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
17. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

How to serve Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta can be plated simply on its own or alongside a fresh green salad for a complete meal. The addition of garlic bread can elevate the dining experience further. For a touch of elegance, finish off each plate with a sprinkle of additional parsley or freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

How to store

If you have leftovers (though they are hard to resist!), allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to retain its creamy texture.

Tips to make

• To enhance the flavor, let the chicken marinate with the Cajun seasoning and spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, feel free to add more Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use whole wheat pasta.

Variation

You can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste. Try adding vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes into the creamy sauce for added nutrition, or swap the fettuccine for penne or rotini to change up the shape. For a touch of freshness, consider adding a squeeze of lime juice instead of lemon.

FAQs

1. Can I use shrimp instead of chicken?
Yes, shrimp is a fantastic alternative! Cook the shrimp until just opaque and follow the remaining steps as outlined.

2. Is this dish spicy?
The level of spiciness can be adjusted by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning you use. For a milder flavor, reduce the seasoning amount.

3. Can I make this dish in advance?
While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the sauce and chicken in advance and then cook the pasta just before serving for optimal taste.

Enjoy this delicious Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, bursting with flavor and perfect for any occasion!

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A delightful dish combining bold Cajun flavors with a creamy texture, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Cajun

Servings 4 servings

Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce and Pasta

• 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

 

Cooking the Chicken

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Season both sides of the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
• Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.

Making the Sauce

• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
• Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to thicken.
• Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.

Combining Pasta and Chicken

• Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package directions, then drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
• Slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips.
• Add the drained fettuccine to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
• If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
• Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice, then add sliced chicken on top.
• Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
• Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Notes

To enhance flavor, marinate chicken with spices for at least 30 minutes. For more spice, increase Cajun seasoning or add cayenne pepper. For a lighter dish, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use whole wheat pasta.

Keyword Cajun Pasta, Comfort food, Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, One-Skillet Meal, quick dinner