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creamy cajun chicken pasta recipe - Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

creamy cajun chicken pasta recipe made easy at home. A bold, creamy one-skillet pasta loaded with blackened chicken, sweet bell peppers, and smoky Cajun spice
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cajun
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into 1-inch strips
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning divided
  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 bell pepper any color, sliced
  • 1 small red onion sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Toss chicken strips with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), about 5-6 minutes, turning once. Transfer to a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté bell pepper and onion until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Add the drained pasta and cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss well to coat everything in the sauce. Add a little pasta water if needed for a silky consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley.