Bold creamy cajun chicken pasta (Printable version)

Penne tossed with spiced chicken, sautéed peppers, and a creamy garlic sauce for a comforting meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 16 oz), sliced into strips
02 - 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - ¼ cup chicken broth
12 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Extra Parmesan cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water, then set pasta aside.
02 - Toss chicken strips evenly with Cajun seasoning to coat thoroughly.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add bell peppers, red onion, and garlic; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate browned bits. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
06 - Reduce heat to low, stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce attains a creamy consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to preference.
07 - Add cooked pasta, chicken, and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss gently to evenly coat with sauce and heat through.
08 - Plate immediately, garnishing with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than 45 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table before anyone gets too hungry.
  • The Cajun spices give you that bold, warm flavor without being overwhelming or requiring a grocery store hunt.
  • Creamy sauce coats every piece of pasta and chicken, making it the kind of comfort food that actually feels a little fancy.
02 -
  • Don't rinse the pasta after draining it; that starch helps the sauce cling to every piece.
  • If your sauce feels too thick, pasta water is your secret weapon to loosen it up without diluting the flavor.
  • Taste the sauce before adding all your salt because the Parmesan and Cajun seasoning already bring salt to the party.
03 -
  • Have everything prepped and ready before you start cooking; this dish moves quickly once the pan is hot.
  • Don't let the cream boil aggressively, or it can break; keep it at a gentle simmer.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts silkier than pre-shredded, and it's worth the extra thirty seconds.
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