5.0 from 3,891 votes
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is such a simple and quick recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken breast tossed with tender pasta in a creamy cajun garlic sauce, ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 480 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Cajun
Ingredients
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp Cajun Seasoning divided, (or added to taste depending on the brand you use*)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2/3 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp parsley finely chopped, to serve
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water then drain, cover, and keep warm.
- Beat the chicken breasts so that they are even in thickness and season all over with 1½ Tbsp cajun seasoning.
- In a large non-reactive skillet*, heat 2 tsp oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear on both sides. Turn heat down to low and saute until cooked through and 165˚F on a thermometer. Transfer to a cutting board, slice into thin strips, and cover to keep warm.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, saute the butter and garlic for 30-60 seconds or until the garlic is fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and saute another 2 minutes.
- Add in the heavy whipping cream, add remaining cajun seasoning to taste, and parmesan cheese, and bring to a simmer. Season to taste if needed.
- Add the sliced chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until combined and pasta and chicken are warmed through. Add warm reserved pasta water if desired to thin the sauce. Serve with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Avoid using cast iron or copper pans anytime you are making a creamy sauce with an acidic product like tomato or it will react and make the sauce grainy.
- *If you are using a cajun seasoning that has a high salt content, start with half of the seasoning and add more to taste.
Nutrition Information
Calories
480kcal
(24%)
Carbs
34g
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
31g
(48%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
109mg
(36%)
Sodium
214mg
(9%)
Potassium
413mg
(12%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
2368IU
(47%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
142mg
(14%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 480
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 480kcal | 24% |
| Carbs | 34g | |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 109mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 214mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 413mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 2368IU | 47% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 142mg | 14% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.