Description
A delightful weeknight meal featuring tender chicken in a spicy Cajun sauce with creamy pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 12 oz penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti (your pasta choice)
- Salt (for pasta water)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the sauce)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (for aroma)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for depth)
- 1 cup heavy cream (for creaminess)
- ½ cup chicken broth (for a savory touch)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for umami flavor)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Red pepper flakes (for extra heat, optional)
- Fresh lemon juice (to brighten the dish)
- Sautéed vegetables (such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms)
- Shrimp (optional swap for chicken)
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and golden. Remove and let it rest, then slice.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika, stirring to combine. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, simmering until the sauce thickens. Stir in Parmesan until melted.
- Toss the drained pasta and sliced chicken into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
Consider serving with a light salad or garlic bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Cajun, Pasta, Chicken, Creamy, Southern, Quick Dinner