Description
A creamy, smoky, and slightly spicy Cajun chicken pasta with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and Parmesan. Comfort food with a kick, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 1–2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice chicken into strips and coat with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same pan, melt butter. Add bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with more Cajun spice if needed.
- Combine and Finish: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and add to the skillet. Return chicken to the pan and toss everything together. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to marry the flavors.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot with salad or garlic bread on the side.
Notes
For extra heat, add red pepper flakes or more Cajun seasoning. Swap chicken for shrimp or sausage for variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, Cajun recipe