Description
A delightful dish that brings the vibrancy of Cajun flavors to your dinner table, featuring tender chicken, creamy sauce, and aromatic spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- Salt, for the pasta water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh lemon juice
- Sautéed vegetables (optional)
- Shrimp (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest before slicing.
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Gradually add heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring until the sauce thickens. Stir in Parmesan cheese, adding pasta water as needed.
- Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet, tossing until well coated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and squeeze fresh lemon juice before serving.
Notes
For a twist, try substituting chicken with shrimp or adding sautéed vegetables for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg