Print

30-Minute Restaurant-Style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A close-up, appetizing shot of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles coated in a rich orange sauce with chunks of seasoned chicken, garnished with parsley.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this ultra-creamy and perfectly spiced Cajun Chicken Pasta in just 30 minutes for a satisfying, restaurant-quality weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. While the chicken cooks, boil the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. 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 it thickens slightly.
  6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If using, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
  7. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
  • You can substitute shrimp for the chicken or add it along with the chicken for a surf and turf version.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce without adding extra cheese, let the cream simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes before adding the cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://afripaket.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe/