The Creamiest Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe You’ll Ever Love
Culinary adventures often spark unexpected delights with this creamy Cajun chicken pasta that brings southern charm to your dinner table.
Spicy notes dance through velvety sauce, creating a symphony of flavors perfect for busy weeknights.
Robust seasonings marry tender chicken pieces with silky noodles in a magical combination.
Robust Cajun spices deliver a kick that awakens sleepy taste buds without overwhelming delicate ingredients.
Comfort meets excitement in each forkful of this hearty dish that promises satisfaction.
Complex yet simple, this recipe turns ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.
You’ll find yourself transported to louisiana’s vibrant kitchen with every single bite.
FAQs
Cajun seasoning typically includes paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt, creating a spicy and flavorful blend that gives dishes a signature Louisiana-style kick.
Reduce the amount of cayenne pepper in the Cajun seasoning or use a mild Cajun spice blend. You can also add less seasoning to control the heat level while maintaining the dish’s flavor profile.
While delicious, the recipe is relatively high in calories and fat due to heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. To make it healthier, you could use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream and add more vegetables.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: Why It’s a Favorite
Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
For the Protein:For the Pasta:For the Sauce and Seasoning:For the Aromatics and Vegetables:For the Cooking Fats and Liquids:Optional Garnish:How to Create Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Spice and Sizzle the Chicken
Coat chicken pieces generously with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken until it develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior and is completely cooked through.
Remove the chicken and set aside.
Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation
In the same skillet, sauté fresh garlic, diced onions, and colorful bell peppers.
Allow the vegetables to soften and release their aromatic qualities, creating a delicious base for the sauce.
Step 3: Create Luxurious Sauce
Pour heavy cream into the skillet and sprinkle in freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Stir continuously and let the mixture simmer until it thickens and becomes wonderfully creamy. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon smoothly.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Protein
Add cooked fettuccine directly into the creamy sauce. Slice the browned chicken and gently fold it into the pasta, ensuring every strand gets covered with the rich Cajun-inspired sauce.
Step 5: Final Touches and Serve
Give the pasta a final gentle stir to distribute the chicken and sauce evenly. Transfer to serving plates and optionally garnish with:Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the vibrant, spicy flavors of this Cajun Chicken Pasta.
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Cajun chicken pasta weaves spicy Creole flavors into a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Rich parmesan and cream sauce coat tender chicken, creating a memorable southern-style dining experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 tbsps cajun seasoning
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese
- 8 oz (226 g) fettuccine pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Coat chicken pieces thoroughly with Cajun spice blend, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from pan, then in the same skillet, sauté minced garlic, diced onions, and sliced bell peppers until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour heavy cream into the vegetable mixture, gradually sprinkle Parmesan cheese, and reduce heat to low, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and develops a smooth consistency.
- Meanwhile, prepare fettuccine according to package instructions, drain, and set aside while maintaining warmth.
- Slice cooked chicken into thin strips and reintroduce to the creamy sauce.
- Gently fold fettuccine into the sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is evenly coated with the rich, spicy mixture.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnish with additional grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant presentation.
- Serve immediately while the pasta remains hot and sauce is at its peak creaminess.
Notes
- For maximum flavor, let chicken marinate in Cajun seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance spice penetration.
- Use cast iron skillet for achieving deeper caramelization and richer browning of chicken and vegetables.
- Adjust cream sauce thickness by controlling simmering time – shorter for lighter consistency, longer for thicker sauce.
- Swap fettuccine with zucchini noodles for low-carb version or gluten-free pasta for dietary alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Jess Martinez
Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant
Expertise
Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health
Education
Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.
Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.