Description
A quick, spicy, and creamy weeknight dinner that balances bold Cajun flavors with rich, silky sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy families and offers restaurant-quality taste with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2–3 stalks green onions, sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove and let rest.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Slice the rested chicken and add it back to the skillet. Toss to warm through.
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Adjust seasoning and garnish with green onions before serving.
Notes
For a milder version, reduce Cajun seasoning to 1 tablespoon. To prevent sauce splitting, keep heat low when adding cream and add cheese off the heat. If using gluten-free pasta, monitor cooking time closely as it can vary. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meals, spicy chicken, easy recipes, 20 minute meals