Description
Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy and spicy dish that brings together tender chicken, flavorful Cajun seasoning, and a rich, cheesy sauce over pasta. This recipe combines the best of Southern and Italian cuisines, creating a comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper**, more or less depending on taste
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream, or half and half
- 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup chicken broth
Instructions
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Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot over high heat and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water (so it doesn’t clump, can also toss a little olive oil on it to prevent clumping) and set aside.
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While the pasta is cooking, add the butter, olive oil and onion to a large pot over medium-high heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.
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Add the red bell pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, basil, paprika, ground black pepper, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 3 more minutes or until the bell pepper starts to become soft.
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Add the chicken and stir and cook for another 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
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Add the parmesan, heavy cream, cream cheese and chicken broth and stir and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken and the cream cheese has fully melted.
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Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir to coat pasta with sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then serve with freshly chopped parsley on top, if desired.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning.
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk or cashew cream, and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Customize with additional vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes for added flavor and nutrition.