Description
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta comes together so fast! This easy chicken dinner recipe is the perfect combo of spicy and creamy!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 diced tomato
- fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, cook penne until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; season chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and cook for 3 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Create Roux: Remove chicken from skillet, clean pan, melt butter, sauté garlic for 30 seconds, and whisk in flour for another 30 seconds.
- Make Sauce: Slowly whisk in half and half until the sauce thickens.
- Season Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble: Add penne to the sauce and top with diced tomatoes, parsley, extra Parmesan, and sliced cooked chicken.
Notes
Pound chicken breasts thin to ensure they cook quickly. To maintain creaminess when reheating, add a small amount of half and half.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 453 kcal
- Sugar: 4.2 g
- Sodium: 711.8 mg
- Fat: 23.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 19.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30.6 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 40.2 g
- Cholesterol: 126.2 mg
Keywords: creamy cajun chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, spicy creamy pasta, quick weeknight meal