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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy one-pot Cajun chicken pasta recipe that delivers bold flavor with minimal cleanup, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cups chicken broth (720 ml)
  • 8 oz uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115 g)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop the bell pepper and onion, and mince the garlic.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Add the chicken pieces, sprinkle half the Cajun seasoning over them, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until golden but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, sauté the diced onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the uncooked pasta and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most broth is absorbed.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese until the sauce is smooth and cream cheese is melted.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and warm together for 3-4 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps in the sauce. Stir occasionally while cooking pasta to prevent sticking. Adjust spice level by modifying Cajun seasoning or adding cayenne. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check seasoning ingredients. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and heavy cream with coconut or cashew-based alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, spicy pasta, comfort food

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