Kickin’ Cajun Chicken Pasta

Name: Kickin’ Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning; Kosher salt; freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp olive oil; 2 tbsp olive oil or butter; 1 small onion, diced; 1 red or yellow bell pepper, diced; 1 stalk celery, diced; 3 clove garlic, minced; 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 0.5 tsp smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp dried thyme (optional); 0.5 cup dry white wine; 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth; 0.75 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half); 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 12 oz penne or rigatoni; Fresh parsley, chopped; Fresh chives, chopped

Kickin’ Cajun Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort meal 🌶️. Juicy Cajun-spiced chicken in a silky Parmesan cream sauce - all cooked in one pan! This weeknight meal always hits the spot. It's flavorful, creamy, and perfect for reheating as leftovers. A true crowd-pleaser for busy evenings.

boneless, skinless chicken breasts

freshly ground black pepper

red or yellow bell pepper, diced

dried thyme (optional)

low-sodium chicken broth

heavy cream (or half-and-half)

freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley, chopped

Fresh chives, chopped

Calories

525.0kcal (26.25%)

Carbs

37.5g (13.64%)

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserve ½ cup cooking water, then drain.

Step 2

Season chicken with Cajun spice, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Step 3

Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Step 4

In the same skillet, sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 5

Deglaze the skillet with wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in chicken broth, then reduce heat to low. Add cream, Parmesan, and Cajun seasoning. Simmer until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes.

Step 7

Return chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss until evenly coated, loosening with reserved pasta water as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 8

Garnish with parsley, chives, and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.