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The Definitive 30-Minute Stovetop Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A close-up, appetizing shot of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring penne, seasoned chicken pieces, and red peppers, topped with parsley.
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Make this restaurant style pasta at home quickly. You get tender chicken, peppers, and a rich, velvety Cajun cream sauce in just 30 minutes, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (use your favorite blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces dried pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
  2. Season the cut chicken pieces generously with the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and sliced bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  5. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and dried thyme. Bring the sauce back to a gentle simmer. Do not boil rapidly.
  8. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  9. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat evenly in the Cajun cream sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Serve immediately. Garnish your creamy Cajun chicken pasta with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with your Cajun seasoning blend.
  • If you prefer a one pan chicken pasta experience, you can cook the pasta directly in the sauce by adding an extra 1 1/2 cups of liquid (broth and water mix) and simmering until the pasta is tender, adjusting cook time as needed.
  • You can substitute shrimp for the chicken if you want a spicy creamy chicken dish variation.

Nutrition

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