Zesty Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe: A Fiery Flavor Fiesta!

Twirling forks through creamy cajun chicken pasta unleashes a symphony of bold, zesty flavors that dance across your palate.

Southern spices blend seamlessly with tender chicken and al dente noodles.

Each bite packs a punch of authentic Louisiana-style heat and richness.

Cayenne and paprika create a vibrant backdrop for this comforting dish.

Weeknight dinners never looked so exciting or tasted so incredible.

Chefs and home cooks alike will fall in love with this simple yet spectacular recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Prepare to savor every spice-infused, creamy forkful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 4

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Ingredient List

• Chicken Strips: Lean protein that carries bold Cajun flavors and creates hearty texture for the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, nutty depth and helps bind the creamy sauce with savory undertones.

• Cajun Seasoning: Signature spice blend that delivers authentic Louisiana-style zesty kick.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides robust, earthy base notes to the overall recipe.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate all other flavor components.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky smooth sauce with decadent mouthfeel.
• Chicken Broth: Adds subtle savory undertones and helps thin sauce to perfect consistency.
• Bell Peppers: Introduces vibrant color, fresh crunch, and subtle sweetness to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Provides healthy cooking fat and helps prevent ingredients from sticking.
• Pasta: Hearty foundation that absorbs creamy sauce and completes the main course.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds fresh herbal notes and visual appeal.

Tools That Make Cajun Pasta a Breeze

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken, sautéing vegetables, and creating the creamy sauce.
• Pasta Pot: Perfect for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.
• Cutting Board: Needed for preparing bell peppers and garlic.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for chopping vegetables precisely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring sauce and combining ingredients.
• Colander: Helps drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring Cajun seasoning.

Instructions for Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Night

• Fire Up the Chicken

Sprinkle Cajun magic over chicken strips. Heat olive oil in a sizzling skillet and cook chicken until it’s golden and perfectly done. Pull those beauties out and keep them waiting.

• Dance the Vegetables

Toss bell peppers and garlic into the same skillet. Let them soften and become fragrant for a few delightful minutes.

• Create Creamy Comfort

Lower the heat and pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Splash some extra Cajun seasoning for bold flavor. Stir until the sauce starts to bubble and look irresistibly smooth.

• Pasta Performance

Cook pasta until it’s perfectly al dente. Drain and set aside, ready to join the flavor party.

• Bring the Band Together

Reunite the chicken, pasta, and Parmesan in the skillet. Toss everything so each bite gets drenched in that dreamy sauce. Sprinkle salt and pepper to make it sing.

• Serve with Style

Shower with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy. Plate up this spicy, creamy masterpiece and enjoy immediately.

Spice Tips to Level Up Cajun Chicken Pasta

• Spice Master's Tip: Add extra Cajun seasoning gradually and taste as you go to control the heat level without overwhelming the dish's creamy profile.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Replace traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version that still delivers bold Cajun flavors.
• Protein Power Swap: Substitute chicken with shrimp, turkey, or even firm tofu to create exciting protein variations while maintaining the recipe's signature creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese to create a delicious dairy-free alternative that preserves the recipe's rich, comforting essence.
• Vegetable Boost: Experiment by adding spinach, mushrooms, or asparagus during the vegetable sauté stage to increase nutritional value and introduce additional layers of flavor to the classic Cajun pasta.

Serving Creamy Cajun Pasta with Southern Charm

• Spicy Dinner Companion: Pair this zesty Cajun chicken pasta with a crisp, cold beer or a glass of white wine to balance the heat and richness.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve in a large family-style dish with extra Parmesan on the side, allowing everyone to customize their portion with additional cheese and herbs.
• Fresh Side Kick: Add a light, tangy side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creamy sauce and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Offer warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted French bread to soak up the delicious Cajun cream sauce, making every bite even more satisfying.

Reheating Cajun Pasta Without Losing Kick

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Transfer any leftover pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. This creamy dish stays delicious for 3-4 days when sealed properly in the refrigerator.
• Quick Reheat Technique: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore the sauce's original creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and maintain the pasta's moisture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Pasta with cream-based sauces can become slightly grainy when frozen, so consume fresh whenever possible. If freezing, separate chicken and sauce from pasta to maintain better texture upon thawing.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chicken and chop vegetables in advance to streamline cooking time. Store prepped ingredients in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, allowing quick assembly during busy weeknights.

Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy cajun chicken pasta brings Southern spice to your dinner table with a zesty, rich sauce coating perfectly seasoned chicken and al dente noodles. Comfort meets bold flavor in this quick, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight cooking.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 8 oz (226 g) fettuccine or penne pasta
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps Cajun seasoning (divided)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Extra Parmesan, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Protein Preparation: Season chicken strips robustly with Cajun spice blend, then sear in hot olive oil until achieving a golden exterior and safe internal temperature, approximately 6-7 minutes.
2. Vegetable Infusion: Utilize the same skillet to transform bell peppers and garlic into an aromatic base, sautéing until edges become translucent and release their distinctive fragrance.
3. Sauce Development: Introduce heavy cream, chicken broth, and additional Cajun seasoning to the skillet, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and reduce, creating a rich, velvety sauce that intensifies in flavor.
4. Pasta Integration: Cook pasta to al dente perfection in a separate pot, then drain while maintaining a slight moisture, ensuring ideal texture for sauce absorption.
5. Final Composition: Combine seared chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and grated Parmesan into the simmering sauce. Gently toss to ensure complete flavor melding, adjusting seasoning with salt and cracked pepper to personal preference.
6. Elegant Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and optional Parmesan cheese, serving immediately to preserve the sauce’s luxurious warmth and creamy consistency.

Notes

• Spice Intensity Control: Adjust Cajun seasoning to personal heat tolerance by reducing or increasing spice blend. Mild palates can start with less, while heat enthusiasts can amplify the kick.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or tofu for diverse dietary preferences. Ensure alternative proteins are cooked to safe internal temperatures and seasoned similarly.
• Cream Sauce Consistency: Monitor sauce thickness by slow simmering and occasional stirring. Add extra broth if sauce becomes too dense or additional cream for richer texture.
• Pasta Precision: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness. Slightly undercooked pasta continues cooking when mixed with hot sauce, maintaining ideal texture and preventing soggy results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg