Name: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired / American Fusion
Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts (about 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 tsp Cajun seasoning; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; 2 tbsp olive oil; 8 oz (225 g) penne or fettuccine; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated; ½ cup chicken broth; 1 tsp Cajun seasoning; ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes; Salt and black pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Description

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a spicy, comforting dish packed with bold flavor and weeknight ease. Featuring tender, Cajun-spiced chicken tossed in a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce with perfectly cooked pasta, it’s a restaurant-worthy dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s cozy, creamy, and just the right amount of kick for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

2 large chicken breasts (about 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
2 tbsp olive oil

For the Pasta:

8 oz (225 g) penne or fettuccine
1 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ cup chicken broth
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

Cook Pasta:
Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
Season Chicken:
In a bowl, toss chicken with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Cook Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Make Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Add heavy cream, Parmesan, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Combine:
Return chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Serve:
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

Notes

Use fresh Parmesan for a smoother, creamier sauce.

Add more red pepper flakes or hot sauce for extra heat.

Toss in vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added color and nutrition.

Reserve pasta water—it helps create a silky sauce texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Plats
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired / American Fusion