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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Skillet

A close-up of a bowl of creamy chicken pasta featuring penne, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.
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Make this flavorful, creamy Cajun chicken pasta in one skillet for an easy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or more, to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (optional)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
  6. Add the uncooked pasta directly to the simmering cream sauce. Stir well to coat.
  7. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. If the sauce gets too thick before the pasta is done, add a splash more broth or cream.
  8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the sun-dried tomatoes (if using) and spinach. Stir until the spinach wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the Cajun seasoning.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
  • This recipe works well with any short pasta shape you have on hand.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumdrizzle.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-skillet/