Description
This Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken, sautéed vegetables, and a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce tossed with al dente penne pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that delivers bold flavors and satisfying creaminess.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 250g (8 oz) penne pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to spice preference)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Vegetables & Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced (or a combination of green and yellow)
- ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup double cream (heavy cream)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Cook the Cajun Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies & Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) and scrape the browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta for garnish. Serve hot immediately. For those who like extra heat, sprinkle additional cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning to taste.
Notes
- You can substitute white wine with chicken broth if preferred or to avoid alcohol.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste depending on your spice tolerance.
- Reserve pasta water is important for adjusting sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of double cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
