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The Ultimate 30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Close-up of creamy, orange-hued cajun chicken pasta with penne noodles and seasoned chicken pieces.
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Make restaurant-style Cajun Chicken Pasta at home in just 30 minutes. This recipe delivers a rich, creamy sauce and bold Cajun spice flavor, making it a perfect weeknight chicken dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
  • 1 pound penne or fettuccine pasta
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  3. While the pasta cooks, 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 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
  7. 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 until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the cream mixture.
  • You can substitute shrimp for the chicken for a different flavor profile. Cook the shrimp quickly in the skillet before setting aside the chicken.
  • If you do not have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich and may require less simmering time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/cajun-chicken-pasta-creamy-easy-30-min-recipe/