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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Garlic Flavor

Close-up of fettuccine coated in a rich sauce, topped with seasoned chicken pieces, in a bowl of Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Garlic Flavor.
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Make a rich, spicy Cajun chicken pasta featuring a strong, noticeable garlic flavor in a creamy sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and the cubed cream cheese. Whisk until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
  8. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste the sauce and add more salt or seasoning if needed.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
  10. While the sauce is simmering, cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  11. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  12. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For an even deeper garlic flavor, roast 4 cloves of garlic separately and mash them into the sauce when you add the cream cheese.
  • Use a high-quality Cajun seasoning blend for the best flavor profile.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat.

Nutrition

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