Description

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with bold Cajun spices, tossed in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce with fettuccine pasta. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner, it combines smoky, spicy, and creamy elements to satisfy any craving.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Pasta

8 ounces fettuccine pasta

Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
Season the chicken: While the oil is heating, season both sides of the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for a balanced spicy flavor.
Cook the chicken: Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a cutting board to rest; this helps retain the juices.
Melt butter and sauté garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden.
Add cream and broth: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine the ingredients into a flavorful base.
Simmer the sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes allowing it to thicken slightly.
Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth.
Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, cook the fettuccine pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain, reserving about 1/2 cup pasta water.
Slice the chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips for easy mixing and serving.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
Adjust sauce consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Add final touches: Stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice, then add the sliced chicken on top of the pasta.
Toss and heat through: Toss everything together until well combined and heated through, ensuring all flavors meld together.
Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend.
Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich.
Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese will give the sauce a better texture and flavor.
Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps keep it moist and tender.
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness and help sauce adhere to the pasta better.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing and Simmering
Cuisine: American Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 620 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 38 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta recipe, spicy chicken pasta, fettuccine with Cajun sauce, easy dinner recipes