How To Make the Most Creamiest Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Thighs are often more flavorful and less expensive.

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: coconut milk

💰Cheaper: milk

Coconut milk is lower in calories, while milk is more budget-friendly.

Dice 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs into cubes.

Drizzle oil on the chicken and rub it in.

Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Creole seasoning, Italian seasoning, and ground black pepper; save about half a tablespoon of seasoning for later.

Set the seasoned chicken aside to marinate.

Boil water in a pot and add 1 box of penne pasta, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of chicken bouillon; mix and cover.

Boil the pasta for about 7 to 10 minutes until al dente.

Before draining, save 1 cup of pasta water for later use.

Heat a skillet on medium-high and drizzle oil in it.

Add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown; flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter, 1 small diced tomato, 1/2 small diced onion, and 3 cloves of minced garlic; fry until fragrant.

Add 1 cup of saved pasta water and 1 cup of heavy whipping cream to the skillet; stir to combine.

Add the remaining seasoning and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning; stir well.

Incorporate 3 tablespoons of cream cheese into the sauce and stir until creamy.

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well to coat.

Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the pasta and mix.

Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and mix everything together; reserve some chicken for topping.

Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens