Cajun Chicken and Pasta
A delicious and quick Cajun Chicken and Pasta dish that combines bold flavors with creamy pasta, perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 oz penne pasta, cooked according to package instructions and drained
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 0.5 teaspoon salt, divided
- 0.5 teaspoon pepper, divided
Vegetables and Sauce
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 0.5 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 count bell peppers, sliced (any color)
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 0.75 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.33 cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions and set aside.
- In a large zip-top bag, combine 3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake to coat evenly. Set aside.
Cooking
- In a large pan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until browned and just cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Once melted, add the diced onion and sliced bell peppers. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream, smoked paprika, dried basil, garlic powder, the remaining Cajun seasoning, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Stir in the parmesan cheese and warmed, cooked pasta until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Customize the spice level by adding more Cajun seasoning or hot sauce. You can use different vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for extra nutrition. Substitute heavy cream with low-fat cream or broth for a healthier version.