Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken with creamy Parmesan sauce and perfectly cooked penne pasta. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy skillet recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with a spicy and creamy twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasoning
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Liquids & Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
Cheese & Seasoning
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the sliced chicken evenly with Cajun seasoning, ensuring all pieces are well coated for robust flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or deep pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add the uncooked penne pasta and optional diced bell peppers to the skillet.
- Simmer the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Make It Creamy: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Chicken Back: Return the cooked Cajun chicken to the pan and stir well to combine. Let it cook together for another 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy Cajun chicken pasta.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level.
- Use bell peppers for added color and sweetness, or omit if preferred.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the pan.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less creamy.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to prevent the sauce from separating.
