Description
A quick, flavorful one-pot dinner featuring seared chicken, pasta, and a rich Cajun-spiced cream sauce. This recipe requires minimal cleanup and delivers restaurant-quality taste in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice chicken, mince garlic, and dice onion and bell pepper. Measure out seasonings and liquids.
- Season chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer until golden brown and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until softened (3-4 minutes). Add garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning; stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits. Add dry pasta and stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Remove skillet from heat. Stir in heavy cream and let sit for 1 minute. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Adjust consistency with a splash of broth if needed.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine, taste for seasoning, and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not skip searing the chicken for better flavor. Use fresh Parmesan cheese to avoid a grainy sauce. Remove pan from heat before adding cream to prevent curdling. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, one pot dinner, creamy pasta, easy weeknight meals, spicy chicken recipe, quick dinner ideas