Description
A quick, restaurant-quality weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and pasta in a rich, spicy Cajun cream sauce. Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 700g)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- Optional: Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and cut into 1-inch chunks. Toss with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to sear, then stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Remove skillet from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese gradually until melted and smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Return chicken and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook the chicken to avoid dryness. Always remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Save pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting, so grate your own Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meals, one-pan dinner, spicy chicken, easy recipes, 15 minute meals