Description
A spicy, comforting, and creamy Cajun chicken pasta that comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 150g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (full-fat)
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 75g)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional add-ins: 1 cup diced red bell pepper, 2 cups fresh spinach, or 1 pound shrimp
Instructions
- Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Measure out the Cajun seasoning and grate the Parmesan cheese.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Before draining, scoop out 1 cup of pasta water and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet. Once melted, add diced onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. If using bell peppers or spinach, add now and let soften.
- Remove skillet from heat. Slowly stir in grated Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth and creamy. Add cooked chicken back and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Add drained pasta to skillet and gently toss to coat with sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley or green onions if desired. Optionally drizzle with good olive oil.
Notes
Save 1 cup of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and texture. Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to avoid grainy sauce. Room temperature cream helps prevent sauce separation. Adjust Cajun seasoning to control spice level. Leftovers store well in fridge up to 4 days; reheat gently with splash of milk or cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, spicy pasta, comfort food