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One-Pan Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta - featured image

One-Pan Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta


  • Author: SALY
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

A rich, spicy, and creamy one-pan pasta dish with Cajun-seasoned chicken, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 7 oz)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni preferred)
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Toss with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, and black pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden crust forms. Stir and cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add diced onion and green bell pepper. Lower heat to medium and cook about 4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping browned bits. Bring to a simmer, add remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and uncooked pasta. Stir to submerge pasta. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove lid, pour in heavy cream, stir to combine. Add seared chicken back to pan. Gradually sprinkle in Parmesan cheese while stirring. Simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Turn off heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

[‘Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken; cook in batches for a golden crust.’, ‘Deglaze the pan after cooking chicken to add flavor to the sauce.’, ‘Use low heat when adding cream and cheese to prevent grainy sauce.’, ‘Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and thickens sauce smoothly.’, ‘Leftovers taste better the next day; reheat gently with broth or water to loosen sauce.’, ‘Avoid microwaving leftovers to prevent drying out the creamy pasta.’, ‘Add a squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness if desired.’, ‘Vegetarian version: omit chicken, add mushrooms and extra bell peppers, use vegetable broth.’, ‘For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheese to 1/2 cup.’]

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
  • Calories: 460
  • Sugar: 4
  • Sodium: 490
  • Fat: 22
  • Saturated Fat: 11
  • Carbohydrates: 38
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 28

Keywords: one-pan, creamy, Cajun, chicken, pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy recipe, spicy, comfort food