Description
A quick and flavorful Five-Ingredient Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta that comes together in just 30 minutes. Tender chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices are cooked to perfection and tossed in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce with fettuccine pasta. This comforting dish is perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you want a delicious and satisfying meal without the fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced or cubed
- 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning blend
Pasta
- 8 ounces of fettuccine or your preferred pasta
Sauce
- 1 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for cooking (about 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or pasta of your choice and cook according to the package instructions, typically for 8-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a small amount of the cooking liquid in case you need to thin out the sauce later.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced or cubed chicken and sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it’s fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 6-8 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Toss Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Cajun sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, you can thin it out by adding a splash or two of the reserved pasta cooking liquid.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce calories if preferred.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Freshly grated Parmesan delivers the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner, five-ingredient pasta
