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30-Minute Restaurant-Style Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Close-up of creamy cajun chicken pasta featuring fettuccine noodles coated in an orange sauce, topped with chicken chunks and parsley.
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Make rich, bold Cajun chicken pasta quickly. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 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
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For a spicier sauce, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce with the heavy cream.
  • You can substitute shrimp for half of the chicken for a surf and turf version.
  • If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the Cajun seasoning blend slightly.

Nutrition

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