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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Peppers

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A quick and easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta with sautéed bell peppers, perfect for a flavorful and comforting dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, slice chicken breasts into thin strips about 1/2 inch thick. Thinly slice the red and yellow bell peppers, and finely chop the onion and garlic.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and season with a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and slightly browned. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted, add chopped onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until peppers soften and onions become translucent.
  5. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Let reduce for 2-3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Return cooked chicken to skillet along with drained pasta. Toss gently to coat in creamy Cajun sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to melt.
  7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with olive oil or vegan butter. Use smoked paprika instead of Cajun seasoning for milder flavor. Save some pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Avoid boiling cream sauce aggressively to prevent breaking. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts with adjusted cooking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, chicken dinner, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, bell peppers, Cajun seasoning

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-with-peppers-easy-homemade-recipe-for-dinner/