Description
A stress-free, weeknight-friendly dinner that cooks entirely in one pot. This creamy, spicy Cajun chicken pasta is ready in 30 minutes and requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper. Dice onion and mince garlic.
- Sear chicken: Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken in batches to avoid crowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and Cajun seasoning, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
- Combine and simmer: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add uncooked pasta and stir to coat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Finish cooking: Stir in heavy cream and the cooked chicken (with juices). Cover and simmer for another 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Adjust consistency with a splash of cream if needed. Serve topped with fresh parsley.
Notes
Do not crowd the pan when searing chicken to ensure a good crust. Stir pasta every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. If the sauce is too thick, add pasta water or extra cream. If the sauce is too thin, let it sit to thicken. Do not freeze this dish as the dairy sauce may separate upon thawing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: one pot meal, creamy pasta, cajun chicken, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, family friendly, budget meal