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Easy 30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A bowl of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles, seasoned chicken pieces, and fresh parsley garnish.
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Make restaurant-style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta at home in under 30 minutes. This recipe delivers tender chicken and a rich, spicy cream sauce perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (use your favorite blend)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  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 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the luscious pasta sauce.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your Cajun seasoning mix.
  • If you want to add vegetables, stir in 1 cup of fresh spinach or sautéed bell peppers along with the chicken when you return it to the sauce.
  • Using the starchy pasta water is key to helping the cream sauce adhere perfectly to the pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mistyplate.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta/