Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta (Print-Friendly Version)

Chicken, pasta, and Cajun cream sauce unite for a bold, comforting meal, finished with parmesan and fresh herbs.

# What You’ll Need to Make This:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
04 - Salt, to taste
05 - Black pepper, to taste

→ For the Pasta

06 - 340 grams penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
07 - Salt, for pasta water

→ For the Sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 240 millilitres heavy cream
13 - 120 millilitres chicken broth
14 - 25 grams grated Parmesan cheese

→ Optional Garnishes

15 - Fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Red pepper flakes
17 - Fresh lemon juice
18 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

→ Optional Variations

19 - Sautéed bell peppers, onions, spinach, or mushrooms
20 - Shrimp (substitute for chicken as desired)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil, then sear chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (74°C internal temperature). Remove from skillet and allow to rest.
02 - After resting for a few minutes, slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 240 millilitres pasta water before draining.
04 - In the same skillet used for chicken, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
05 - Add Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika to the skillet, stirring for 1 minute to release flavors.
06 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer, cooking 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
07 - Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning as needed.
08 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet with sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Return sliced chicken to skillet and combine until well distributed and heated through.
09 - Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan as desired. Serve immediately with optional red pepper flakes or a squeeze of fresh lemon.

# Extra Tips:

01 - To prevent pasta from sticking, toss drained pasta with a small amount of olive oil while the sauce is being prepared.
02 - For a seafood alternative, substitute chicken with peeled and deveined shrimp—reduce cooking time accordingly.

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