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Cajun Chicken Pasta with Cream Cheese

Cajun Chicken Pasta with Cream Cheese


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  • Author: Keyla Stewart
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Spicy, creamy Cajun chicken pasta with cream cheese – a one-skillet comfort dish bursting with bold Louisiana flavor in under an hour.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Dairy

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
  • 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced thin
  • ½ yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional garnish)

Pasta & Seasoning

  • 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter

Liquids

  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Boil the Pasta: Cook pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
  2. Season the Chicken: Toss chicken with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Sear the Chicken: In a skillet with 1 tbsp olive oil, sear chicken 4–5 mins per side. Remove and cover.
  4. Sauté Veggies: Add butter, peppers, and onion. Sauté 4–5 mins until soft.
  5. Add Garlic & Spices: Stir in garlic, remaining Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook 1 min.
  6. Deglaze: Add broth and scrape up browned bits. Simmer 2 mins.
  7. Make It Creamy: Stir in cream cheese until melted, then add milk. Simmer gently.
  8. Add Parmesan: Mix in parmesan. Adjust seasoning.
  9. Combine: Add pasta and chicken back in. Toss to coat.
  10. Garnish: Sprinkle parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • For dairy-free: use plant-based alternatives.
  • For gluten-free: use gluten-free pasta.
  • Adjust spice with more/less Cajun seasoning or hot sauce.
  • Store in fridge up to 4 days or freeze for 2 months. Reheat gently.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Cajun, American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 generous bowl
  • Calories: 630 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 890mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 130mg