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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade with Colorful Peppers

creamy cajun chicken pasta - featured image

A creamy, spicy Cajun chicken pasta with colorful bell peppers that balances comfort and bold flavors, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 medium bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup (8 fl oz) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (about 50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of fettuccine or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Remove and let rest before slicing.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion and sliced bell peppers over medium heat until softened but still slightly crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and scrape browned bits from the pan. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Return sliced chicken to skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Add cooked pasta to skillet and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more Cajun seasoning if desired.
  7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately warm.

Notes

Do not overcook the chicken as it will cook again in the sauce. Use fresh Cajun seasoning for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and omit Parmesan or use dairy-free cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, colorful peppers, easy dinner, weeknight meal