Description
This Five-Ingredient Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a quick and easy meal that combines bold flavors with comforting textures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Begin by patting the chicken breast dry with a paper towel. This essential step helps the seasoning adhere better and prevents steaming during cooking. Generously coat both sides of the chicken with Cajun seasoning, ensuring every inch is covered for maximum flavor impact.
- In your preheated skillet, add a splash of oil or a tablespoon of butter. Once hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken into the skillet. Cook for about 5–6 minutes each side, allowing it to develop a golden-brown crust. This not only adds aesthetic appeal but also depth of flavor. After cooking, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board; this helps keep the juices intact.
- While the chicken is resting, add the fettuccine pasta to the pot of boiling salted water. Cook according to package instructions until it reaches al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve half a cup of pasta water. This starchy water is liquid gold for adjusting your sauce’s consistency later on. Once cooked, drain the pasta but do not rinse, as the starch will help the sauce cling better to the noodles.
- In the same skillet used for cooking the chicken, now over medium heat, pour in the heavy cream. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a spatula to lift any flavorful brown bits—this enhances the sauce’s richness. Stir to warm the cream, then add the grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk everything together until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and luscious.
- Add the drained fettuccine to the creamy sauce and toss to coat thoroughly. If the sauce seems too thick, pour in some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency. This step ensures that each fettuccine strand is enveloped in that decadent creamy goodness.
- Slice the rested chicken into strips. Serve the creamy Cajun chicken pasta in bowls, topping each portion with the sliced chicken. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle more Parmesan on top before serving. Your masterpiece is now ready to impress!
Notes
Ensure your chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. If using frozen chicken breasts, make sure to thaw them thoroughly before seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 600 per serving
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Protein: 40 g