Description
This Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe combines tender bite-sized chicken pieces with a creamy, spicy sauce infused with Cajun seasoning, bell peppers, and Parmesan cheese. Served over perfectly cooked penne pasta, it’s a flavorful and hearty dish that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or whenever you’re craving a delicious Cajun-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta, cooked al dente according to package directions
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- ½ yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Chicken & Dairy
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Sauté Vegetables and Chicken: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until they become translucent. Then add the diced red and yellow bell peppers along with the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Cook this mixture until the bell peppers soften. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet with the cooked chicken and vegetables. Add the softened cream cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy Cajun sauce. Heat through for a few minutes until everything is hot. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your delicious Cajun chicken pasta.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper slightly according to your spice preference.
- You can substitute penne pasta with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fettuccine.
- Use fresh Cajun seasoning or a good-quality store-bought blend for best flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Shredded mozzarella or extra Parmesan can be added on top before serving for additional cheesiness.
- To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken but adjust seasoning accordingly.
