Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, spicy seasoning, and creamy sauce with perfectly cooked pasta. This one-pot meal is both satisfying and easy to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning (divided)
• ¼ cup olive oil (divided)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 cup diced yellow onion (¼” dice)
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper (½” dice)
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper (½” dice)
• 14.5 ounce fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces dried penne pasta (2 cups)
• 4 cups unsalted chicken stock (or broth)
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2. Step 2: Heat a large high-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil once hot. Place the chicken in a single layer and cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Continue sautéing for about 3 more minutes until fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a clean bowl and cover to keep warm.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic for 2 minutes. Add the diced red and green bell peppers and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juice, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Step 4: Add the penne pasta, chicken stock, and the remaining 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning to the pan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook and stir frequently until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, leaving a light sauce, about 14 to 16 minutes.
5. Step 5: Lower the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Add the cooked chicken back to the pan and stir until warmed through, about 2 minutes.
6. Step 6: Serve the pasta garnished with chopped parsley for a fresh finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or use a mild paprika instead.
• Substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini for a different texture.
• Add sliced mushrooms or spinach with the peppers for extra veggies.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to lighten the sauce, keeping the creamy texture.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but add the pre-cooked chicken towards the end of cooking just to warm it through, as cooking it earlier could dry it out.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream cheese for a lighter alternative, but the sauce may be less rich and creamy.

Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 145 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

A flavorful Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken breast, sautéed vegetables, fire-roasted tomatoes, and penne pasta simmered in a creamy sauce infused with Cajun spices and parmesan cheese, perfect for a hearty and comforting meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
• ¼ cup olive oil (divided)

Vegetables

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 cup diced yellow onion (¼” dice)
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper (½” dice)
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper (½” dice)
• 14.5 ounce fire roasted diced tomatoes

Pasta and Liquids

• 8 ounces dried penne pasta (2 cups)
• 4 cups unsalted chicken stock (or broth)
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

Finishing touches

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into approximately 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and 1 tablespoon olive oil to coat evenly.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large, high-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil when hot. Place the chicken in a single layer and cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown on one side. Continue sautéing and stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a clean bowl and cover to keep warm.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Lower the heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same pan. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add the diced red and green bell peppers and continue sautéing for another 2 minutes. Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juice, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits for added flavor.
4. Cook the Pasta: Add the dried penne pasta, chicken stock, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to the pan. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta, stirring frequently, until it is tender and most of the stock has evaporated, leaving a small amount of liquid to create a light sauce, approximately 14 to 16 minutes.
5. Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy whipping cream and grated parmesan cheese until combined and creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to warm through, about 2 minutes.
6. To Serve: Garnish the pasta with chopped parsley and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level.
• Using fire-roasted tomatoes adds a smoky depth to the sauce, but regular diced tomatoes can be substituted.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a milk alternative, though the sauce may be less rich.
• Ensure the stock is unsalted to control the sodium level in the dish.
• Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture, as it will absorb the sauce gently in the final step.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Cajun

Keywords: Cajun Chicken Pasta, Creamy Cajun Pasta, Spicy Chicken Pasta, One-Pan Cajun Pasta