Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful one-pot meal with bold Cajun spices, juicy chicken, and creamy sauce over rigatoni. It’s an easy, dinner that delivers an Italian flair with every forkful.
Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 pounds Chicken
- 7 oz Rigatoni pasta
- 1 ½ to 2 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 4 to 5 Garlic Cloves minced
- ½ Onion chopped
- ½ Red Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- ½ cup Tomato Sauce
- ½ cup Pasta Water
- ¼ cup to ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni (or your preferred pasta) and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken to the pan and season with cajun seasoning and black pepper and cook for 4–6 minutes, or until golden and fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Sauté diced red bell peppers, garlic and onions for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add tomato sauce, 1 cup of heavy cream, pasta water and stir in 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken
- Stir in shredded Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra shredded cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Video
Recipe Tips
For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan for extra meltability and flavor. Also, reserve a bit of the pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
