Description
A quick one-pan Cajun dish with seared chicken, al dente pasta, and a spiced cream-Parmesan sauce. Bold flavors and silky texture create a gourmet-like weeknight meal ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced into 0.5-inch strips
1 pound penne or fettuccine pasta
1.5 cups heavy cream
0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (contains paprika, cayenne, etc.)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
0.5 cup chicken broth
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Heat olive oil and butter in an oven-safe skillet until shimmering
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning
Sear chicken in pan until golden (4-5 minutes per side)
Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant
Pour in chicken broth, then heavy cream
Bring to simmer and season with remaining Cajun seasoning
Boil pasta according to package instructions, then drain and reserve 0.5 cup pasta water
Return cooked chicken to skillet and add pasta to pan
Stir to coat in sauce, add Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water
Cook 5-10 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce thickens
Notes
Use aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup
Adjust Cajun seasoning level to taste
Chickens cooks faster when sliced uniformly
For gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 120mg