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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta made in one pot, ready in about 20 minutes. This comforting dish combines bold Cajun spices with a luscious creamy sauce and tender chicken.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade blend)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (red or green, optional but recommended)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta (or rigatoni; gluten-free pasta if needed)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Dice onion and bell pepper. Mince garlic cloves.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and sprinkle Cajun seasoning evenly. Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes, stirring often. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Return chicken to the pan. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine. Add uncooked penne pasta, spreading evenly.
  5. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover with lid. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring every 2–3 minutes to prevent sticking and check pasta doneness. Pasta will absorb most liquid and sauce will thicken.
  6. Once pasta is tender and sauce creamy, stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream.
  7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

If pasta seems undercooked but sauce is thick, add more broth and cook a minute longer. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best creaminess. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Adjust spice level by adding cayenne or jalapeños.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy Cajun recipe, spicy pasta, weeknight dinner

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