Go no further than creamy Cajun chicken spaghetti if you're seeking a filling and delicious supper that will tickle your taste buds! This dish combines tender chicken with spicy Cajun seasoning, creamy sauce, and al dente pasta for a flavorful and comforting meal that's perfect for any occasion.
How To Make:
To make creamy Cajun chicken pasta, start by cooking your pasta of choice according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, season chicken breast strips with a generous amount of Cajun seasoning and cook them in a pan until browned and fully cooked.
Next, make the creamy sauce by sautéing diced onions and garlic in butter until soft and fragrant. Add heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and more Cajun seasoning to the pan and stir until the sauce is thick and creamy.
Drain the pasta after it has finished cooking, then add it to the sauce in the pan. Mix everything together until the sauce is evenly distributed throughout the spaghetti. Add the cooked chicken to the pan and gently stir it in with the pasta and sauce.
Serve your creamy Cajun chicken pasta hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. This dish is sure to satisfy your cravings for something spicy, creamy, and comforting!
Tips and Variations:
Tips:
Cook the chicken separately: Start by cooking the chicken separately to avoid overcooking it and making it tough. You can season the chicken with Cajun seasoning before cooking it to give it extra flavor.
Use heavy cream: For a creamy and rich sauce, use heavy cream instead of milk or half-and-half. It will give your sauce a velvety texture and help it cling to the pasta.
Adjust the spice level: Cajun seasoning can be quite spicy, so adjust the amount according to your taste. You can also use a milder seasoning blend or add more cream to tone down the heat.
Add vegetables: To add some color and nutrition to your dish, you can sauté some bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms before adding the chicken and sauce. These vegetables will also add flavor and texture to your pasta.
Variations:
Shrimp Cajun pasta: Instead of chicken, you can use shrimp to make a seafood version of this dish. Sauté the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and add it to the creamy sauce and pasta.
Vegan Cajun pasta: To make a vegan version of this dish, replace the chicken with chickpeas or tofu and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. To complete the dish, add some grilled chicken or shrimp.
Cajun Alfredo pasta: For a twist on the classic Alfredo sauce, add Cajun seasoning to the sauce and serve it over fettuccine pasta. To complete the dish, add some grilled chicken or shrimp.
One-pot Cajun pasta: To save time and dishes, you can cook the pasta and sauce together in one pot. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, and uncooked pasta to a pot and cook until the pasta is al dente. Then, add cooked chicken and vegetables and serve.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of sliced, skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Chicken strips are seasoned with Cajun seasoning and then left aside.
Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
Over medium-high heat, melt the butter and olive oil in a big skillet. Add the chicken strips and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. Chicken should be taken out of the skillet and put aside.
Add the bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are tender about 5 minutes.
Bring to a boil after adding the heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, or until it slightly thickens.
Stir in the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and cooked chicken strips. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has coated the pasta.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.