Description
Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender cajun-seasoned chicken breasts tossed with rigatoni pasta in a rich tomato cream sauce. Enhanced with sautéed garlic, onion, bell pepper, and parmesan cheese, this dish delivers a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and savory notes. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to delight your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 tbsp olive oil (to marinate the chicken, plus more for frying)
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into 4 thin pieces)
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning (divided)
Pasta
- 7 oz rigatoni (or your choice of pasta)
Sauce & Vegetables
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 onion (sliced)
- 1/2 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
- 1/2 tbsp cajun seasoning (remaining portion)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
Garnish (Optional)
- Chili flakes
- Parsley
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced chicken breasts with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp of cajun seasoning. Massage the mixture thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly. Set aside to allow the flavors to infuse while preparing other ingredients.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil rigatoni according to package instructions until it is about 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and drizzle with additional olive oil. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, until cooked through and nicely seared. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same skillet, add butter and melt over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and sliced onion until fragrant and translucent. Add sliced red bell pepper and cook until slightly softened.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce and heavy cream, then add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water along with the remaining 1/2 tbsp of cajun seasoning. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Stir the cooked pasta and half of the cooked chicken (sliced into bite-sized pieces) into the sauce. Cook together for 1-2 minutes until the pasta is tender and fully coated with the sauce.
- Add Final Touches: Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and season with salt to taste. Mix well to incorporate the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and top each serving with the remaining whole chicken pieces. Garnish with chili flakes and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this creamy, spicy Cajun chicken pasta.
Notes
- This dish is loaded with tender chicken pieces tossed in a flavorful tomato cream sauce, offering a delicious spicy kick perfect for comfort food lovers.
- Using rigatoni or a similarly shaped pasta helps to hold the sauce well, but feel free to use your favorite pasta type.
- Adjust the amount of cajun seasoning and chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water helps to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
