Cajun Chicken Pasta with Bell Peppers (Printable Version)
Spicy, creamy pasta with Cajun chicken, colorful bell peppers, and a savory cream sauce. Quick weeknight comfort food.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Pasta
04 - 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
08 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Sauce
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
12 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
# Directions:
01 - Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for sauce consistency adjustment.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and rub both sides generously with Cajun seasoning.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove, let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add bell peppers and red onion, sauté 4-5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until aromatic.
05 - Pour chicken broth into skillet and scrape up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese. Simmer 2-3 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
06 - Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to skillet. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
07 - Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce magically balances creaminess with Cajun heat, creating that rare dish that satisfies both comfort food cravings and the desire for something exciting.
- Everything cooks in one pan after the pasta, which means spectacular flavor development and minimal cleanup when youre too tired to deal with a sink full of dishes.
02 -
- Never add the Parmesan while the sauce is bubbling vigorously it will clump instead of creating that smooth, silky texture youre after.
- That reserved pasta water is your secret weapon if your sauce tightens up too much after adding the pasta, a splash or two brings everything back to creamy perfection.
03 -
- When slicing the bell peppers, cut them into strips of roughly the same size as your pasta shape so each forkful delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- After removing the chicken from the pan, dont wipe out the skillet those browned bits are concentrated flavor that will transform your sauce from good to unforgettable.