Cajun chicken pasta is one of those dishes that brings the vibrant flavors of Louisiana right to your kitchen.
It’s a delightful blend of juicy chicken, spicy Cajun seasoning, and creamy sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta.
Every bite is a little taste of the South, making it perfect for a cozy dinner or a gathering with friends.
Ingredients
For this delicious Cajun chicken pasta, I will need a few key components to bring out that rich, bold flavor. Here’s what you’ll need for each part of the dish.
For the Cajun Chicken
- 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces of fettuccine or penne pasta
- Salt for boiling water
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (red or green)
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Here’s how I whip up my delicious Cajun chicken pasta from start to finish. It’s all about the steps to lock in those vibrant flavors.
Prep
- Gather all the ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning 8 ounces fettuccine pasta 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup Parmesan cheese 4 cloves garlic (minced) 1 red bell pepper (sliced) 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh parsley (for garnish).
- Start by boiling a pot of salted water for the pasta. Once boiling add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks season the chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot add the seasoned chicken.
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
- In the same skillet add the minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the pepper softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Next stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until they start to soften.
- Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream stirring continuously for about 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet along with the Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated.
- Slice the cooked chicken and serve it atop the pasta mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.
Enjoy your flavorful Cajun chicken pasta.
Cook
Now it’s time to cook the flavorful components of the Cajun chicken pasta. Follow these steps for perfectly seared chicken and a rich creamy sauce.
Sear the Chicken
Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. I like to ensure the oil is hot before adding the chicken.
Season each side of the 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts generously with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning.
Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the seasoned chicken into the skillet.
Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board while I prepare the sauce.
I always find letting the chicken rest retains its juices making it even more delicious.
Make the Sauce
In the same skillet, I lower the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 diced red bell pepper. I sauté them for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
Next, I toss in 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, stirring them until they begin to burst. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
I season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If I want an extra kick, I add a pinch more Cajun seasoning.
Once the sauce is well combined, I slice the rested chicken and add it back into the skillet, allowing it to coat with the sauce.
Conclusion
Cajun chicken pasta is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavors that brings a taste of Louisiana right to your kitchen.
Whether you’re whipping it up for a cozy night in or impressing friends at a gathering, this dish never fails to deliver comfort and satisfaction.
I love how easy it is to prepare and how the bold spices and creamy sauce come together for a truly delightful experience.
So why not give it a try? You might just find yourself falling in love with this Southern classic. Happy cooking!
PrintDelicious Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cajun Chicken
- 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces of fettuccine or penne pasta
- Salt for boiling water
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (red or green)
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prep
- Gather all the ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning 8 ounces fettuccine pasta 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup Parmesan cheese 4 cloves garlic (minced) 1 red bell pepper (sliced) 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh parsley (for garnish).
- Start by boiling a pot of salted water for the pasta. Once boiling add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks season the chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot add the seasoned chicken.
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
- In the same skillet add the minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the pepper softens and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Next stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until they start to soften.
- Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream stirring continuously for about 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet along with the Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated.
- Slice the cooked chicken and serve it atop the pasta mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.