Description
A bold and creamy Cajun pasta dish made with juicy chicken breast, colorful bell peppers, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, this pasta is comforting, flavorful, and comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Set a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season sliced chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, tossing to coat evenly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter. Sauté garlic, onion, and bell peppers for about 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss to combine and heat through.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice preference.
- Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe