Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
An easy, creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe packed with juicy chicken, bold spices, and a velvety garlic-Parmesan sauce. This 30-minute one-pan dinner is a family-favorite with restaurant-style flavor that even picky eaters love.
Pin Share Print Servings: 4
Calories: 610kcal
Cost: 12$
Equipment
- 1 Large pot (For boiling pasta)
- 1 Large skillet (Preferably 12-inch, with high sides)
- 1 Cheese Grater (For fresh Parmesan)
- 1 Measuring spoons (For spice mix)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon Paprika - 1 teaspoon sweet, 1 teaspoon smoked
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper - Adjust to spice level
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 lb Chicken breasts - Boneless, skinless, sliced into strips
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil - For searing chicken
- 1 tablespoon Butter - For sautéing veggies
- 3 cloves Garlic - Minced
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- ½ cup Chicken broth
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese - Freshly grated
- 1 Red bell pepper - Sliced
- 1 Green bell pepper - Sliced
- ½ Red onion - Sliced
- ½ cup Diced tomatoes - Canned or fresh
- 2 tablespoon Green onions - Chopped for garnish
- 12 oz Penne pasta - Or fettuccine
- Salt for pasta water - To taste
- ½ cup Reserved pasta water - For sauce consistency
Instructions
- Slice chicken into strips and set aside.
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Boil pasta 1 minute less than package; reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
- Coat chicken in seasoning and sear in hot oil for 3–4 minutes per side.
- In same skillet, melt butter, then add bell peppers, onion, and garlic.
- Stir in seasoning, pour in cream and broth, then simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan until sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss in pasta and chicken, add reserved water if needed.
Notes
Nutrition facts are estimated using automated tools and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For the most accurate results, please calculate using your specific ingredients.
Nutrition
Serving: 350g | Calories: 610kcal (31%) | Carbohydrates: 44g (15%) | Protein: 35g (70%) | Fat: 33g (51%) | Saturated Fat: 15g (94%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 130mg (43%) | Sodium: 720mg (31%) | Potassium: 620mg (18%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 6g (7%) | Vitamin A: 3200IU (64%) | Vitamin C: 48mg (58%) | Calcium: 220mg (22%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)