Creamy, cheesy, slightly spicy and ready in about 35 minutes, this Cajun Chicken Pasta is a family dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.

Servings: 4 | Calories: ~595 | Protein: 39g | Carbs: 43g | Fat: 29g

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite-size pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Pasta

• 10 oz penne pasta
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Creamy Cajun Sauce

• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)

Garnish

• Fresh parsley
• Extra Parmesan

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Instructions

1. Cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2. Toss chicken with olive oil and all seasonings.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken 5–6 minutes until golden. Remove to a plate.
4. Melt butter in the same skillet. Cook onion and bell pepper for about 4 minutes.
5. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute.
6. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits.
7. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in heavy cream and cream cheese until smooth.
8. Mix in Parmesan, Cajun seasoning, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 2–3 minutes until creamy.
9. Return chicken and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss until everything is coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
10. Sprinkle with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.