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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish with a creamy, spicy Cajun sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Dice bell peppers and finely chop onion. Mince garlic.
  2. In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Sauté onions and bell peppers until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine, then add uncooked penne pasta. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover with a lid, and simmer pasta for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
  7. Return browned chicken to the pot. Stir and cook until chicken is fully cooked and sauce is creamy and thickened, about 2 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning if desired.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Keep an eye on the liquid level while pasta cooks; add more broth if it looks too dry. Stir regularly to prevent sticking. Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, spicy pasta, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/creamy-one-pot-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/