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cajun chicken pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta

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This cajun chicken pasta is creamy, spicy, and ready in just 35 minutes. After four months of testing and one spectacularly bland meal for my sister-in-law, I learned the secret: make your own cajun seasoning and don't cook cream sauce on high heat. The result? Restaurant-quality pasta with perfectly seasoned chicken and silky sauce that my husband requests twice a week.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • pounds chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoons cajun seasoning divided
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • cups heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
  • Red pepper flakes optional for extra heat

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot For boiling pasta in salted water
  • 1 Large skillet or sauté pan For cooking chicken, vegetables, and making sauce
  • 1 Tongs or spatula For flipping chicken and tossing pasta
  • 1 Wooden Spoon For stirring sauce and scraping up browned bits
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons For accurate ingredient portions
  • 1 Cheese grater For freshly grating parmesan cheese

Method
 

  1. Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and toss with 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken in a single layer without crowding. Cook 5-6 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add butter over medium heat. Add sliced bell peppers and diced onion. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and get some color. Add minced garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly so garlic doesn't burn.
  3. Pour chicken broth into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let simmer 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Lower heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream. Stir in tomato paste until fully combined. Add grated parmesan cheese gradually while stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let sauce simmer gently 3-4 minutes until thickened enough to coat a spoon. Don't let it boil or the cream will break.
  4. While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Add cooked pasta to the creamy cajun sauce in the skillet. Toss until every piece is coated. Add cooked chicken back to the pan with any accumulated juices. If sauce is too thick, add pasta water a splash at a time until desired consistency. Toss everything together over low heat for 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more cajun spice, salt, or pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra parmesan before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 36gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 820mgPotassium: 580mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 920IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 340mgIron: 2.6mg

Notes

The secret to perfect cajun chicken pasta is making your own seasoning blend - store stuff is too salty or flavorless. I spent four months making disasters before learning this. Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, thyme, black pepper, and minimal salt. Don't cook cream sauce on high heat or it breaks. Keep it medium-low and simmer gently. Save pasta water - the starch helps sauce cling better. My sister-in-law called my first attempt "very subtle" - code for no flavor. Now she asks for the recipe every visit.

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