11/20/2025
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Bold, creamy, and just a little spicy—this Cajun chicken pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and a fun Neighbors Cooking night. Serves 4 and comes together in about 30 minutes!
📝 Serves
4 people
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken & Pasta
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 2–3 tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided – adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
• 1 tsp salt (for pasta water)
For the Sauce
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional for extra smoky flavor)
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4–1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup half-and-half (or heavy cream for extra richness)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2–3/4 tsp salt (to taste)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup pasta cooking water (as needed to thin the sauce)
For Garnish
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Extra grated Parmesan
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
• Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Season the Chicken
• Pat chicken strips dry with a paper towel.
• Toss chicken with 1–1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning until well coated.
3. Sear the Chicken
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer.
• Cook 4–6 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
4. Sauté Veggies & Build Flavor
• In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter.
• Add diced onion and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.
• Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Add smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and remaining Cajun seasoning (start with 1/2–1 tbsp, then adjust). Cook 30 seconds to toast the spices.
5. Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce
• Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Stir in half-and-half and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
6. Bring It All Together
• Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
• Return the seared chicken (and any juices from the plate) to the pan and toss again.
• If needed, thin the sauce with a bit more pasta water until it’s silky and coats the pasta.
7. Garnish & Serve
• Top with sliced green onions, extra Parmesan, and parsley.
• Serve hot and enjoy that Cajun kick!
🔥 Tips for the Show
• Dial the heat up or down by adjusting Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
• Add veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to make it extra hearty.
• For a lighter version, use more chicken broth and less half-and-half, and skip extra cheese.
📺 Watch & Cook Along
Catch Neighbors Cooking live Wednesdays at 7 PM!
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/?si=oVrnp_ofPWY7nseu
