Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Delight
A vibrant and flavorful dish featuring a rich, creamy sauce, succulent chicken, and a perfect blend of Cajun spices. Ideal for busy weeknights and family-friendly.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil For cooking chicken
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces Can use breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning For seasoning chicken
- 1 tablespoon butter For sautéing vegetables
- 1 cup onion, diced For flavor
- 1 cup celery, diced For flavor and texture
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced Use red, yellow, or green for color
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped For flavor
- 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (additional) For warmth
- 6 cups chicken broth For cooking pasta
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (optional) For added flavor
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Use gluten-free for a gluten-free version
- 8 ounces pasta (such as ditalini or shells) Use gluten-free for gluten-free option
- 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream (optional) For richness
- 1/3 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional) For brightness
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional) For garnish
- 2 green onions thinly sliced (optional) For garnish
- Cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste For seasoning
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Add to the hot oil and cook until golden brown, which should take about 2-4 minutes per side. Once perfectly cooked, set the chicken aside.
- In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook the mixture until the vegetables become tender – this should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped garlic, thyme, and additional Cajun seasoning into the vegetable mixture. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then add the cooked chicken back to the pot, along with the diced tomatoes (if using) and Worcestershire sauce. Finally, add your pasta. Bring everything to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the pot simmer until the pasta is tender, typically about 7 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove the chicken pieces from the pot. Slice or shred it before adding it back in. Turn off the heat and stir in the cream and grated parmesan cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Drizzle in lemon juice, then fold in parsley and green onions. Finish with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.
Notes
Marinate the chicken in Cajun seasoning for deeper flavor. Swap heavy cream for Greek yogurt for a healthier twist. Add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini for added nutrients.