Description
A quick, spicy, and creamy weeknight dinner that combines seared chicken, penne pasta, and a rich Cajun-infused cream sauce. Ready in 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Penne or Rigatoni Pasta
- 1.5 pounds (680g) Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 3 tablespoons (45g) Unsalted butter
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups (360ml) Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (100g) Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- 1 cup Pasta water (reserved from cooking)
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, cut chicken into chunks, and grate Parmesan. Season chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sear chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate, leaving drippings in the pan.
- Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build sauce: Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Add heavy cream and Italian seasoning, simmering for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese gradually until melted and smooth. If too thick, add reserved pasta water.
- Combine: Return chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat evenly. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Save the starchy pasta water; it is essential for emulsifying the sauce. Use fresh Parmesan, not pre-grated, to avoid a grainy texture. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, 30 minute meals, easy chicken recipes, pasta with cream sauce