Description
Spicy Cajun chicken pasta delivers a fiery southern symphony of flavors, blending rich cream sauce with bold Creole seasonings. Hearty noodles embrace zesty chicken, inviting you to savor Louisiana’s culinary passion in every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, bringing it to a rolling boil for the pasta.
- Submerge pasta strands, cooking until they reach a perfectly tender yet firm texture, following package guidance.
- Extract a small portion of starchy cooking liquid, then carefully drain pasta and set aside.
- Create a zesty coating for chicken by thoroughly massaging Cajun seasoning into protein pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over robust medium-high temperature.
- Sear chicken pieces until they develop a rich golden exterior and cook completely through, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer protein to a separate plate, maintaining its warmth.
- Reduce skillet heat, introducing butter which will melt smoothly.
- Infuse the pan with minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom briefly.
- Stream heavy cream into the skillet, letting it gently bubble and thicken.
- Incorporate remaining Cajun seasoning and finely grated Parmesan, whisking to create a harmonious sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate flavor profile.
- Reunite cooked chicken with the creamy sauce in the skillet.
- Fold pasta into the mixture, ensuring each strand becomes luxuriously coated.
- Modulate sauce consistency by introducing reserved pasta water as needed.
- Scatter freshly chopped parsley across the dish for a vibrant finish.
- Serve immediately while still piping hot, delivering maximum flavor and texture.
Notes
- Select high-quality Cajun seasoning for an authentic, bold flavor profile that enhances the overall dish’s taste.
- Use chicken breast cut into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the pasta.
- Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help ingredients bind smoothly without losing flavor.
- Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to retain moisture and prevent dryness, creating tender and juicy protein pieces.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg