Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
A rich and spicy creamy Cajun chicken pasta with tender chicken strips and perfectly cooked pasta, delivering bold flavors and comforting warmth in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), sliced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne or fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Toss chicken breast strips with 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken strips in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add diced onion and sliced bell pepper. Cook over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute to avoid burning.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in 1/2 cup chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Add 1 cup heavy cream and 4 oz softened cream cheese in chunks. Stir gently until cream cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Return chicken to skillet, then add cooked pasta. Toss gently to coat pasta in the creamy, spicy sauce. Cook together for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
Keep heat medium-low when melting cream cheese to avoid breaking the sauce. Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use vegan cream cheese and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal