Description
This Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe combines tender strips of seasoned chicken breast with a creamy, flavorful sauce loaded with bell peppers, garlic, and Parmesan. Served over al dente fettuccine or penne, it’s a spicy and satisfying one-pan meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Season the Chicken: Toss the sliced chicken breasts with the Cajun seasoning until each strip is evenly coated with the spices.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers along with the red onion. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup chicken broth. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it cook until the sauce slightly thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are well coated with the creamy Cajun sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a lighter version of the sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your preferred spice level.
- Add mushrooms or fresh spinach to the vegetable sauté for additional flavor and nutrition.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; it should be firm to the bite (al dente).
- If you want a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer before adding back the chicken and pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
