Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

from thenovicechefblog.com
Chicken
30 min
683 kcal / serving

This flavorful and creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is one of our favorite restaurant-quality dishes to make at home in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 12 ouncespenne pasta
  • 2 tablespoonsbutter
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil
  • 1 cupdiced white onion
  • 1red bell pepper (seeded and diced)
  • 4 largecloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 teaspoonscajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoondried basil
  • 1 teaspoonpaprika powder
  • 1 teaspoonground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoonsalt
  • ¼ teaspooncayenne pepper** (more or less depending on taste)
  • 1 ½ poundsboneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite size pieces)
  • 1 cupparmesan cheese (freshly shredded)
  • 1 cupheavy cream (or half and half)
  • 4 ozcream cheese (at room temperature)
  • ¼ cupchicken broth

Directions

  1. 1

    Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot over high heat and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water and set aside.

  2. 2

    While the pasta is cooking, add the butter, olive oil and onion to a large pot over medium-high heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.

  3. 3

    Add the red bell pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, basil, paprika, ground black pepper, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 3 more minutes or until the bell pepper starts to become soft.

  4. 4

    Add the chicken and stir and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

  5. 5

    Add the parmesan, heavy cream, cream cheese and chicken broth and stir and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken and the cream cheese has fully melted.

  6. 6

    Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir to coat pasta with sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then serve with freshly chopped parsley on top, if desired.