Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Tender chicken and pasta in a spicy Cajun cream sauce with bell peppers

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lb), sliced into strips

→ Spices & Seasonings

02 - 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
07 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
08 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

10 - 10 oz penne or fettuccine

→ Sauce

11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 - ¼ cup chicken broth

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Combine chicken strips with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss until evenly coated on all sides.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and reserve.
04 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Cook bell peppers and red onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour chicken broth into skillet, scraping up browned bits from bottom. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly until smooth and cheese has melted.
06 - Return cooked chicken to skillet. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
07 - Add cooked pasta to sauce. Toss until pasta is evenly coated and heated through.
08 - Plate immediately and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice hits first, then that cream sauce wraps everything in a warm hug
  • Ready in 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The kind of dinner that makes people ask whats cooking before they even take their coats off
02 -
  • The sauce thickens quickly once you add the cream, so do not walk away from the stove
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly, pre grated cheese will give you a grainy disappointing sauce
  • Let the chicken get properly browned, those caramelized spots are where the flavor lives
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before seasoning so the spices actually stick and form a nice crust
  • Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up every bit of flavor from the pan bottom

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