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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot Cajun chicken pasta with a creamy, smoky sauce that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal cleanup. Perfect for weeknight dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 diced bell pepper (red or green)
  • 1 small chopped onion (yellow or white)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for extra heat
  • Optional: smoked paprika for smoky depth

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken: Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning in a bowl and set aside for 5 minutes.
  2. Sauté chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes until browned but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
  3. Cook veggies: In the same pan, sauté diced bell pepper and chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add liquids & pasta: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in uncooked penne pasta. Bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan. Cook uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. Return chicken & finish sauce: Add chicken back to the pan with grated Parmesan cheese. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Add more broth or cream if sauce is too thick.
  6. Garnish & serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.

Notes

Keep an eye on the pasta while cooking to avoid drying out; add broth as needed. Do not overcook chicken to keep it juicy. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. Adjust spice level with red pepper flakes or extra cayenne. For gluten-free, substitute pasta accordingly. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and non-dairy cheese or omit cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Cajun seasoning, chicken recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/creamy-one-pot-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-restaurant-quality-dinner/