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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Bold Flavor

A close-up of Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Bold Flavor featuring fettuccine noodles and seasoned chicken chunks on a white plate.
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Follow this recipe to make restaurant-style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta featuring a rich sauce and a robust, authentic Cajun spice blend.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, toss the cut chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano. This creates your bold Cajun seasoning.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste the sauce and add more salt or cayenne if you desire more boldness.
  8. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the sauce.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For maximum creaminess, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
  • To deepen the Cajun flavor, you can add 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce when you add the heavy cream.
  • If you prefer a tomato element, stir in 1/4 cup of tomato paste with the garlic before adding the liquids.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchnkudos.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-bold-flavor/