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Restaurant-Style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta in 30 Minutes

Close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy cajun chicken pasta, featuring wide noodles and chunks of chicken coated in a rich, orange sauce.
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Create rich, velvety, and spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta at home quickly. This easy recipe delivers bold Cajun flavor and a perfect sauce texture for satisfying weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces evenly with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan 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 it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds 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 Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts 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 seems 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. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately for a flavorful, restaurant-style pasta dinner.

Notes

  • To achieve the best creaminess, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded, as it melts smoother into the sauce.
  • If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning used on the chicken.
  • For a richer sauce, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with cream cheese, added when you add the Parmesan.

Nutrition

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