Yield: 6 servings
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This flavorful and creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is one of our favorite restaurant-quality dishes to make at home in just 30 minutes! With layers of smoky spice, a velvety sauce, and perfectly cooked chicken, this pasta dish is a flavor explosion.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper**, more or less depending on taste
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream, or half and half
- 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup chicken broth
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Instructions
- Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot over high heat and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the butter, olive oil and onion to a large pot over medium-high heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the red bell pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, basil, paprika, ground black pepper, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 3 more minutes or until the bell pepper starts to become soft.
- Add the chicken and stir and cook for another 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add the parmesan, heavy cream, cream cheese and chicken broth and stir and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken and the cream cheese has fully melted.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir to coat pasta with sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then serve with freshly chopped parsley on top, if desired.
Video
Notes
Store: This Cajun chicken pasta is best served fresh, but leftovers can be saved! Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop, or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to refresh the sauce.
Freeze: I do not recommend freezing this dish, the cream sauce will separate and become oily once thawed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 683kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 41g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 158mg, Sodium: 929mg, Potassium: 741mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 2106IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 279mg, Iron: 2mg