Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

1Ingredients

• 1.5 poundsBoneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoonsCajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoonOlive oil
• 12 ouncesPenne pasta
• 0.5 mediumYellow onion
• 3 clovesGarlic
• 1 mediumRed bell pepper
• 0.5 cupChicken broth
• 1.5 cupsHeavy cream
• 0.5 cupGrated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoonSalt
• 0.3 teaspoonBlack pepper
• 2 tablespoonsFresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

2Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.

   ⏱ 10 min
2. 2

   While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1.5 tablespoons of the Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.

   ⏱ 3 min
3. 3

   Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

   ⏱ 7 min
4. 4

   Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the same skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and the remaining 0.5 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.

   ⏱ 6 min
5. 5

   Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

   ⏱ 5 min
6. 6

   Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the creamy sauce. Toss everything to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until your desired consistency is reached.

   ⏱ 3 min
7. 7

   Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

   ⏱ 1 min