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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: Better Than Takeout Flavor

Close-up of creamy, orange-sauced cajun chicken pasta with penne, chicken pieces, and parsley garnish.
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Make this rich, spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta at home. This recipe delivers bold flavor and a comforting texture, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (use your favorite blend)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
  • 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and half of the Cajun seasoning.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  7. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, if using. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. You can find more great recipes on our Pinterest account.

Notes

  • For an extra kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
  • If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning used.
  • This recipe works well with shrimp or smoked sausage instead of chicken.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/cajun-chicken-pasta-creamy-recipe/