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Quick and Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: Restaurant Flavor Fast

A close-up of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles and chunks of seasoned chicken.
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Make this rich, restaurant-style Cajun Chicken Pasta at home in under 30 minutes. This easy recipe features tender chicken and pasta coated in a luscious, bold cream sauce perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
  • 12 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl to create the Cajun seasoning blend.
  2. Toss the cut chicken pieces with half of the Cajun seasoning blend until evenly coated.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot 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 it aside.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet. Stir well, then add the heavy cream. Bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer.
  7. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is nearly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  8. Stir in the cream cheese cubes until they melt and the sauce thickens.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and add more seasoning if needed.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. This is a great 30 minute chicken pasta dinner.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the cream mixture.
  • If you prefer shrimp over chicken, substitute 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp and cook them for only 2-3 minutes until pink before setting them aside.
  • If the sauce seems too thick after adding the cheese, add a splash more chicken broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://littlekitchendiary.com/cajun-chicken-pasta-creamy-30-minute-recipe/