Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cozy up with this creamy, spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta—a one-pan, soul-satisfying dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (Barilla penne or fusilli)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin) for fruity notes
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast (or thighs) cut into strips
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (homemade or McCormick)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
- 1 medium onion (Vidalia) thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced (fresh for best flavor)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano if you can)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water to loosen the sauce later.
- Toss chicken with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sear in a skillet until browned. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and peppers until soft. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, whisk in half-and-half and Parmesan until silky. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water.
- Return chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss until coated. Adjust seasoning.
- Top with parsley or green onions. Serve hot.
Notes
Don’t crowd the pan when searing chicken. Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Keep reserved pasta water on hand to adjust sauce thickness.
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