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- Chicken and pasta components - 2 chicken breasts, sliced - 8 oz fettuccine pasta - Vegetables and seasoning - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - 1 green bell pepper, sliced - 1 medium onion, sliced - 3 cloves garlic, minced - Sauce components - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish For this Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta, each ingredient plays a key role. The chicken provides protein and heartiness. The fettuccine pasta gives a nice base to soak up the tasty sauce. The Cajun seasoning adds heat and flavor. The bell peppers and onions add crunch and sweetness. Garlic gives a rich aroma that enhances the dish. The heavy cream creates a smooth and creamy sauce. Finally, Parmesan cheese brings a salty kick and depth. Don't forget to have fresh parsley on hand. It adds color and a fresh taste when you serve your dish. This combination of ingredients brings a bold and flavorful meal to your table. Enjoy the cooking process and savor each bite! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, boil water in a large pot. Add salt to the water. Then, add 8 ounces of fettuccine pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until it is al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Next, take 2 chicken breasts and slice them thin. Place the chicken in a bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning over the chicken. Toss the chicken until it is well coated. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until it is golden brown. Once cooked, remove the chicken and set it aside. In the same skillet, add sliced onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until they soften. Then, add 3 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for 1 more minute until it is fragrant. Lower the heat and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Slowly add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained fettuccine pasta and toss everything to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat everything through. Serve hot and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy your flavorful Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta! To make this dish pop, use fresh ingredients. Fresh bell peppers and garlic lift the flavor. Cajun seasoning is key. You can adjust the spice by adding more or less. If you want extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the dish. Always taste your sauce. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Cook the pasta until al dente. This means it should still have a slight bite. Overcooked pasta becomes mushy. When cooking chicken, don't overcrowd the skillet. This helps it brown nicely. Use medium-high heat for a good sear. Stir vegetables just enough to soften them. You want them tender but not mushy. Serve the pasta hot. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Pair it with a green salad for a fresh side. Garlic bread also makes a great addition. For a drink, try iced tea or a light beer. Enjoy the meal with family or friends for a fun dinner! Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Pasta: Always cook pasta until al dente for the best texture; it will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the sauce. Balancing Spice: Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your spice tolerance; you can always add more later but it's hard to take it out! Cheese Quality Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a creamier texture and better flavor compared to pre-grated options. Leftover Love: This dish stores well in the fridge; reheat gently and add a splash of cream or pasta water to revive the sauce. {{image_2}} You can swap chicken for shrimp or sausage. Shrimp cooks fast and adds a nice touch. Sausage brings a bold flavor with every bite. You may also use tofu for a plant-based option. Just make sure to season your proteins well. Each choice offers a unique twist to your dish. Feel free to add more vegetables to your pasta. Zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms fit well. These veggies add color and nutrients to the meal. Broccoli or asparagus also work nicely. Just sauté them with the onions and peppers for a quick cook. To make this dish dairy-free, use coconut milk instead of heavy cream. It gives a rich flavor without the dairy. Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan cheese for a cheesy taste. You can also use almond or oat milk, but check for thickness. Adjust seasonings to keep your dish bold and flavorful. After enjoying Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta, let it cool. Place it in an airtight container. This keeps the flavors fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to store it longer, consider freezing. To reheat, take your pasta out of the fridge. You can use a microwave or the stove. If using a microwave, heat it in 30-second bursts until warm. If using the stove, add a splash of water or cream to the pan. This keeps the pasta moist. Stir it often until heated through. If you want to freeze the pasta, use a freezer-safe container. You can freeze it for up to three months. When ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat it gently as mentioned above. This way, it will taste almost fresh! Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Cook the pasta and chicken, then store them separately in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, heat them in a skillet. Add the sauce and mix until warm. This saves time on busy nights! You can use several spices if you don't have Cajun seasoning. A mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper works well. You can also try Creole seasoning for a different flavor. Adjust the mix to suit your taste. The spice level depends on the Cajun seasoning you use. Most are mildly spicy but can pack a punch. If you prefer less heat, use a lighter hand when adding the seasoning. You can also add more cream to tone down the spice. Absolutely! While fettuccine is great for this dish, you can use any pasta you like. Penne, farfalle, or even spaghetti will work well. Just adjust the cooking time based on the pasta type you choose. This dish pairs well with a simple salad or garlic bread. A side of steamed veggies adds color and nutrition. You can also serve it with a glass of white wine for a lovely meal experience. Enjoy! This blog post covered how to make Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta. We looked at essential ingredients, from chicken to spices. You learned step-by-step instructions, including cooking pasta and preparing chicken. Tips helped to enhance the dish's flavor. We also explored variations with proteins and vegetables. Lastly, we discussed how to store and reheat leftovers. Try this dish yourself, and adjust it to your taste. Happy cooking!

Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A flavorful and creamy pasta dish with Cajun-spiced chicken and colorful bell peppers.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pieces chicken breasts, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 8 oz fettuccine pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 piece red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 piece green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cook the fettuccine pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a bowl, toss the sliced chicken with the Cajun seasoning until well coated.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and bell peppers, sautéing for about 4-5 minutes until they soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  • Slowly add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained fettuccine pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat everything through.
  • Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

For extra heat, add more Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes.
Keyword cajun, chicken, creamy, pasta, spicy