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Bold and Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A close-up shot of rich, orange-hued Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta featuring fettuccine noodles and seasoned chicken chunks, garnished with parsley.
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Make a rich, deeply flavored Cajun chicken pasta with a thick, decadent cream sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (or more for bolder flavor)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and Cajun seasoning to the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the broth reduce slightly, about 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring often. Do not let it boil rapidly.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thick. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the bold cream sauce.
  9. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if you want a bolder flavor.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, use smoked sausage along with the chicken. Add it when you cook the chicken.
  • If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the Cajun seasoning to 3 tablespoons or add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the other spices.
  • To make this a one-pot meal, cook the pasta directly in the sauce mixture using more broth and water, following package directions for liquid absorption.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-bold-and-creamy/