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Easy 30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Close-up of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles coated in a rich orange sauce and topped with seasoned chicken pieces.
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Make a rich, restaurant-style Cajun chicken pasta quickly. This recipe delivers a velvety cream sauce perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces dried pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces evenly with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. 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 it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
  8. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the sauce.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preference for heat.
  • For a spicier sauce, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper along with the Cajun seasoning.
  • If you prefer a richer sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with cream cheese.

Nutrition

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