The Best Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Pasta tossed in a spicy, creamy Cajun sauce with seasoned chicken, bell pepper, and mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts halved into thin breasts
- 10 ounce pasta
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 3 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon ground sage
- 2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
Creamy Cajun Pasta Sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 medium red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms optional
- ¼ cup GF chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon almond flour optional
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded or grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, basil, sage, mustard powder, black pepper, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and salt. Set aside.
- Boil the pasta according to package directions. When it’s done, drain and toss with a little olive oil so it doesn’t stick. Set aside.
- Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pat the halved chicken breasts dry, sprinkle one side with Cajun seasoning, and lay them seasoned-side down in the pan. Cook 3–5 minutes, flip, season the other side, and cook another 3–5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate. For the best results, cook your chicken in a heavy-bottomed pan — it really helps lock in flavour. I use this sauté pan from Amazon and love it.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the red bell pepper (and mushrooms, if using) and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and cream, then whisk in the almond flour (if you’re using it) and Parmesan. Season with garlic powder and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Return the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Top with the seared chicken breasts, sprinkle on extra Parmesan and chopped parsley, and dig in! Enjoy your spicy, creamy feast.
Notes
Remember that searing the chicken is so important and it will add flavour to the sauce because you'll be cooking in the same pan. This Ninja pan from Amazon works great and makes the sauce come together beautifully.