Name: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta – Easy Weeknight Dinner Idea
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: cajun
Ingredients: Boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced (2 medium, about 1 lb); Cajun seasoning (2-3 tablespoons, adjust to taste); Olive oil or butter (2 tablespoons); Garlic cloves, minced (3-4 cloves); Bell peppers, sliced (1 cup red and 1 cup yellow); Heavy cream (1 1/2 cups); Parmesan cheese, grated (3/4 cup); Pasta (12 ounces penne or fettuccine); Salt and black pepper (to taste); Fresh parsley, chopped (2 tablespoons, optional)

Description

There are few meals that strike the perfect balance between creamy comfort and zesty spice quite like Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta. This bold, flavorful dish combines the richness of a Parmesan cream sauce with the smoky kick of Cajun seasoning and tender seared chicken. Ready in under 30 minutes, it makes an ideal easy weeknight dinner. Serve straight from the skillet with garlic bread or a crisp salad, and store leftovers for up to three days.

Ingredients

Boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced (2 medium, about 1 lb)

Cajun seasoning (2-3 tablespoons, adjust to taste)

Olive oil or butter (2 tablespoons)

Garlic cloves, minced (3-4 cloves)

Bell peppers, sliced (1 cup red and 1 cup yellow)

Heavy cream (1 1/2 cups)

Parmesan cheese, grated (3/4 cup)

Pasta (12 ounces penne or fettuccine)

Salt and black pepper (to taste)

Fresh parsley, chopped (2 tablespoons, optional)

Instructions

1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil or butter.

3. Sear chicken in a single layer for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate and cover.

4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook pasta until al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

5. In the same skillet, sauté sliced bell peppers for 3-4 minutes, add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.

6. Sprinkle a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning into the pan, stir, then pour in heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.

7. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency.

8. Return chicken, vegetables, and drained pasta to the skillet, toss to combine, adjust seasoning, and garnish with parsley before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: main course
Method: sauté
Cuisine: cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving

Keywords: creamy cajun chicken pasta, cajun chicken pasta, easy pasta dinner, weeknight dinner, creamy pasta, cajun seasoning, chicken pasta, southern pasta, one skillet meal, quick dinner