Description
Spicy Cajun chicken pasta delivers a bold Louisiana-style culinary adventure packed with robust flavors and creamy textures. Hungry souls will savor this zesty one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, seasoned sauce perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta and Starches:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) fettuccine or penne pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning generously over chicken pieces, ensuring complete coverage.
- Cook chicken thoroughly, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 7-10 minutes.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and ready for later incorporation.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until they release a fragrant aroma and become translucent.
- Add bell peppers to the pan, cooking until they maintain a slight crispness while becoming tender.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, using a spatula to scrape and incorporate any flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
- Allow the cream sauce to simmer and thicken for roughly 5 minutes, developing a rich consistency.
- Introduce cooked pasta into the creamy mixture, gently folding to ensure every strand is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the pasta, stirring to distribute the cheese and create a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Reintegrate the seasoned chicken into the pasta, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients and ensure even heating.
Notes
- Spice Control: Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by reducing or increasing amount based on personal heat tolerance.
- Vegetable Flexibility: Swap bell peppers with zucchini, asparagus, or spinach for varied nutrition and flavor profiles.
- Protein Alternatives: Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or plant-based protein for diverse dietary preferences.
- Cream Modification: Use half-and-half or coconut milk for lighter versions or dairy-free options without compromising creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg