Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make weeknight meal featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with bold Cajun spices, tossed with linguine pasta in a rich and creamy garlic tomato sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this flavorful dish combines a perfect balance of spice and creaminess with freshly grated parmesan and parsley for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided, or to taste)
Sauce
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2/3 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
To Serve
- 2 Tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt. Cook the linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and cover to keep warm.
- Prepare chicken: Beat the chicken breasts to even thickness. Season all over with 1 1/2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning.
- Sear chicken: Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large non-reactive skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear both sides until golden. Reduce heat to low and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165˚F on a thermometer. Transfer to a cutting board, slice into thin strips, and cover to keep warm.
- Make sauce base: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and sauté the minced garlic for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Create creamy sauce: Stir in heavy whipping cream, add the remaining Cajun seasoning to taste, and Parmesan cheese. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, adjusting seasoning if needed.
- Combine and finish: Add the sliced chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine and warm through. Use the reserved warm pasta water to thin the sauce if desired. Serve with extra freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley on top.
Notes
- This quick and simple recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering a flavorful and creamy Cajun-inspired pasta in just 30 minutes.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice preference or brand strength.
- Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency and helping the sauce cling to pasta.
- Use a non-reactive skillet such as stainless steel or non-stick to avoid any metallic taste when cooking acidic ingredients like tomatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 214 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg
