Cajun Chicken Pasta (Creamy & Easy Weeknight Dinner)
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with tender chicken and bold spices.Ready in under 40 minutes using simple pantry ingredients.Perfect for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Toss chicken with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss well to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
- Season with salt and black pepper. Serve hot, garnished with parsley.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version
- Serve with garlic bread or a crisp green salad
- Leftover sauce thickens; loosen with broth when reheating