Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Cream Sauce
Turn up the heat at dinner with this Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Cream Sauce! Juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken, tender pasta, and a rich creamy sauce come together in this easy comfort food recipe that’s packed with bold flavor.
Ingredients
- For the Pasta:
- 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine or penne pasta
- Salt for pasta water
- For the Chicken:
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper
- For the Cream Sauce:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta : Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken : Season chicken strips with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce : In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add heavy cream and chicken broth, bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken : Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Toss well to coat everything evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve : Plate pasta and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top if desired.