Description
Rich, creamy, and full of bold Cajun flavors, Cheesy Cajun Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. Tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luxurious cheesy sauce come together in this quick and easy dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Pasta:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for frying
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into four pieces
- 7 ounces rigatoni or pasta of choice
For the Cajun Sauce:
- 1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ onion, sliced
- ½ red bell pepper, sliced
- ½ cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Garnishes:
- Chili flakes (to taste)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (to taste)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta about 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
- Sear the Chicken:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil.
- Sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add butter.
- Sauté the onions and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the red bell pepper and cook for another 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Prepare the Cajun Sauce:
- Stir in tomato sauce, heavy cream, reserved pasta water, and the remaining ½ tablespoon of Cajun seasoning.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta and half of the chicken (sliced into bite-sized pieces) to the skillet.
- Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. Stir in Parmesan cheese and adjust salt to taste.
- Serve and Garnish:
- Plate the pasta and top with the remaining chicken pieces.
- Garnish with chili flakes and fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly underdone as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing Cajun seasoning or chili flakes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéed
- Cuisine: Cajun