Description
Creamy cajun chicken pasta delivers a spicy Southern comfort with rich, bold flavors from Louisiana’s culinary traditions. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising you a satisfying meal that excites your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 2 tbsps Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz (226 grams) fettuccine or penne pasta
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Lavishly coat chicken strips with Cajun spice blend, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Protein Searing: Heat olive oil in skillet and expertly sear chicken strips, developing a golden-brown crust while preserving interior moisture. Remove chicken and reserve.
- Vegetable Transformation: In the same skillet, sauté bell peppers and garlic until peppers become slightly translucent, capturing the residual seasoned essence from chicken.
- Sauce Creation: Introduce heavy cream, chicken broth, and additional Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Simmer gently, whisking to develop a luxurious, smooth sauce with complex flavor profiles.
- Pasta Integration: Cook pasta to al dente perfection in a separate pot. Drain carefully, maintaining optimal texture and temperature.
- Final Composition: Reunite chicken, pasta, and creamy sauce in the skillet. Gently toss with Parmesan cheese, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated with the rich, spicy sauce.
- Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley and an elegant sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately, showcasing the dish’s vibrant colors and aromatic appeal.
Notes
- Maximize Cajun Seasoning Impact: Generously coat chicken with Cajun spice blend, pressing seasoning into meat to ensure deep flavor penetration and consistent taste in every bite.
- Balance Spice and Creaminess: Adjust Cajun seasoning quantity to personal heat tolerance, allowing the cream sauce to mellow intense spiciness while maintaining robust flavor profile.
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pasta precisely to al dente stage, avoiding overcooking to prevent mushy consistency and ensure pasta holds sauce effectively without becoming soggy.
- Quick Sauce Management: Simmer sauce on medium-low heat to prevent separation, stirring consistently to maintain smooth, creamy texture and prevent burning or scorching of dairy components.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg