Cajun Chicken Pasta Peppers (Printable)
Penne tossed with Cajun-spiced chicken, bell peppers, creamy sauce, and Parmesan cheese, bursting with flavor.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), sliced into strips
→ Spices & Seasonings
02 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Vegetables
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
08 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
09 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pasta
11 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine
→ Dairy & Liquids
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
14 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
15 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Garnish
17 - Chopped fresh parsley
18 - Extra Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, toss the chicken strips with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
03 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chicken in a single layer, sear for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and golden. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely.
04 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Add sliced peppers and onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Sprinkle in remaining Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Stir to coat the vegetables evenly.
06 - Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for 2 minutes.
07 - Lower the heat to medium. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens slightly.
08 - Add cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The Cajun spice blend hits different when you make it at home
- This dish comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
- That reserved pasta water is liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency
- Grating your own Parmesan makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts
03 -
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken or it will steam instead of getting that gorgeous crust
- Let the sauce rest off the heat for a minute before serving, it thickens up beautifully