Cajun Chicken Pasta Creamy (Printable View)

Tender chicken with Cajun spices, sautéed peppers, and creamy sauce tossed with fettuccine pasta.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
04 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta

07 - 12 oz fettuccine or linguine pasta

→ Vegetables

08 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
09 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
10 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Creamy Sauce

12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 - ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning (optional)
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

17 - Fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to even ¾ inch thickness. Rub with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Allow to marinate while preparing remaining ingredients.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook fettuccine until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sear seasoned chicken breasts 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely, and rest 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
04 - In the same skillet, add bell peppers and red onion. Sauté 3 to 4 minutes until just tender. Add minced garlic and cook 1 additional minute until fragrant.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to skillet, then pour in heavy cream. Stir and simmer gently 2 to 3 minutes. Add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed. Season with salt, pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning to taste.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet with sauce and sautéed vegetables. Toss to coat evenly. Arrange sliced chicken on top or fold into pasta. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The spicy seared chicken stays juicy while developing this gorgeous golden crust
  • That creamy sauce with the peppers creates this restaurant quality dinner in under an hour
02 -
  • Do not skip reserving that pasta water, it is your secret weapon for fixing sauce consistency
  • Let the chicken rest before slicing, otherwise all those juices will end up on your cutting board
03 -
  • Heat your cream slightly in the microwave before adding it to prevent it from breaking when it hits the hot pan
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh from a wedge, the pre grated stuff has anti caking agents that make sauce grainy

Go Back