Description
A comforting pasta dish featuring bold Cajun flavors in a creamy sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- Salt, for the pasta water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh lemon juice
- Sautéed vegetables (optional)
- Shrimp (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season it with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden. Reduce heat and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in the same skillet, add garlic, and stir until fragrant. Add Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika, then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Slice the chicken and arrange it on top. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use full-fat heavy cream for a rich sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Choose pasta shapes like penne or fettuccine that catch the sauce well. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg