Description
A comforting weeknight meal featuring tender chicken in a spicy cream sauce with pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz pasta (rotini, twisted, or penne)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (if needed for sauce consistency)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan (for garnish)
- A sprinkle of Cajun seasoning (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook it until al dente, usually about 8–10 minutes. Don’t forget to reserve 1/2 cup of that starchy pasta water before draining—this is gold for your sauce later!
- Cook the Cajun Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, pat the sliced chicken dry. Season it generously with the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken strips and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown and fully cooked through. You’ll know they’re done when they have a lovely golden color and no longer appear pink. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: With that wonderfully seasoned skillet, toss in the minced garlic and sauté it in the remaining butter for about 30 seconds or until it becomes fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to bring everything together. Whisk in the cream cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce. As it thickens, add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, stirring until everything is creamy and velvety. For a little extra heat, sprinkle in the red pepper flakes.
- Combine Pasta & Chicken: Add your cooked pasta to the delicious sauce, tossing to ensure every twist is covered. Return the chicken to the skillet, folding it gently into the mixture. If you find the sauce is too thick, use your reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve & Garnish: Plate your creamy Cajun pasta generously with the strips of chicken on top. Garnish with fresh parsley, a sprinkle of extra Parmesan, and a light dusting of Cajun seasoning for that finishing touch.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of chicken broth when reheating for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, comfort food