Description
Spicy one pot cajun chicken pasta brings Southern comfort straight to dinner tables with bold flavors and creamy textures. Hearty ingredients combine effortlessly, creating a quick meal perfect for hungry families craving zesty Creole-inspired cuisine you can savor in just minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (453 grams) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Create a flavor base by searing chicken with Cajun spices in hot olive oil, ensuring a golden-brown exterior that locks in robust, zesty flavors.
- Introduce aromatic vegetables to the pot, allowing bell peppers, onions, and garlic to soften and release their natural sweetness for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Develop a luxurious sauce by combining chicken broth and heavy cream, creating a rich, velvety foundation for the pasta.
- Incorporate uncooked pasta directly into the liquid mixture, bringing the contents to a vigorous boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Elevate the dish’s creaminess by folding in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, which will melt and create a silky texture while enhancing the overall depth of flavor.
- Finish the one-pot wonder with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, providing a bright, herbaceous garnish that cuts through the richness and adds a final layer of visual appeal.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to match your heat tolerance, using mild or hot varieties for personalized flavor intensity.
- Replace chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for dietary flexibility and diverse meal options.
- Stir pasta gently while cooking to prevent sticking and ensure smooth, even sauce distribution throughout the dish.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a vegan-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg