Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavor. It features tender chicken and linguine pasta tossed in a creamy sauce with a hint of Cajun spice. The addition of colorful bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes adds a delightful variety of textures and flavors to the dish. It’s a satisfying and delicious meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken Pasta

• Flavorful and Spicy: This dish has a wonderful balance of flavors, with the savory chicken and vegetables complemented by the creamy sauce and a hint of Cajun spice.
• Quick and Easy: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table in no time.
• Healthy and Satisfying: This dish is a good source of protein and vegetables, making it a healthy and satisfying meal.
• Versatile: You can easily customize this dish with different vegetables, proteins, or spices to suit your taste.

this Recipe

Ingredients for Cajun Chicken Pasta

• Linguine: I use linguine pasta for this recipe, but you can use any type of pasta you prefer.
• Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are cut into strips for this dish.
• Cajun Seasoning: This adds a blend of spices for that classic Cajun flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a punch of garlic flavor to the chicken.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
• Red and Yellow Bell Peppers: These add sweetness, color, and crunch to the dish.
• Mushrooms: I use fresh mushrooms, but you can also use canned or dried mushrooms if you prefer.
• Red Onion: Adds a sharp and tangy flavor.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds another layer of flavor to the sauce.
• Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes add freshness and acidity.
• Chicken Broth: I use low-sodium chicken broth for the sauce.
• Skim Milk, Flour, and Cream Cheese: These ingredients are blended together to create a creamy sauce.
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a bit of spice.
• Scallions: Chopped scallions add a fresh, oniony flavor and a pop of color.
• Kosher Salt: To season the dish to taste.
• Olive Oil Spray: Used to lightly coat the skillet before cooking the chicken.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Variations

Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:

• Spicy Kick: Add more Cajun seasoning, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
• Veggie Variety: Toss in some other vegetables like broccoli florets, zucchini, or corn.
• Different Protein: Swap out the chicken for shrimp, sausage, or tofu.
• Creamy Twist: Use heavy cream or half-and-half instead of skim milk for a richer sauce.

How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Prep all the vegetables by chopping them as indicated in the ingredients list. In a small blender, combine the milk, flour, and cream cheese to make a slurry. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Season the chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spray the skillet with olive oil and add half of the chicken. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

Reduce the heat to medium and add the olive oil to the skillet. Add the bell peppers, onions, and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add the mushrooms and tomatoes and sauté for another 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt, garlic powder, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the chicken broth to the skillet and pour in the milk/flour/cream cheese slurry. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Adjust the salt and Cajun seasoning to taste. Cook for another minute or two, or until heated through. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss well to coat in the sauce. Top with chopped scallions and serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks

• Even Cooking: Make sure the chicken strips are similar in size so they cook evenly.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken or vegetables. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from steaming.
• Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.

How to Serve

This Cajun Chicken Pasta is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:

• Crusty Bread: A slice of crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy sauce.
• Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a refreshing complement to this dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: You can cook the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and then assemble the dish when you’re ready to serve.
• Storing: Store leftover pasta in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the pasta on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like, but I find that linguine works best for this dish. Other long pasta shapes, like spaghetti or fettuccine, would also be good choices.

Can I make this dish spicier?
Absolutely! You can add more Cajun seasoning, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce to the dish. Adjust the amount of spice to your preference.

Can I make this dish without cream cheese?
Yes, you can omit the cream cheese if you prefer, but the sauce will be slightly less creamy. You can also try substituting the cream cheese with an equal amount of Greek yogurt or mascarpone cheese.

There you have it! A flavorful and easy-to-make Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe. I hope you enjoy it!

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