5-Ingredient Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
A bold, smoky, and comforting 5-ingredient Cajun chicken pasta that comes together in just 30 minutes. Tender chicken, creamy Cajun-spiced sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort — the ultimate easy weeknight dinner.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Skillet or sauté pan
- Tongs or pasta spoon
- Colander
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced or cubed
- 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning blend (adjust to taste)
- 8 oz fettuccine or preferred pasta (penne, linguine, or rotini)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- olive oil or butter, for sautéing
- salt, for pasta water
- ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce and chicken. Add splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, cohesive sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or sliced green onions if desired. Enjoy hot and creamy!