Chicken Pasta 30 Minutes Easy Delicious Recipe
This Five-Ingredient Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that combines tender, seasoned chicken with a rich, creamy parmesan sauce coating perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, this flavorful dish brings a spicy Cajun kick balanced by a smooth, cheesy finish, making it a delicious meal for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced or cubed
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or preferred pasta
- Salt (for pasta water, about 1 tablespoon)
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or your pasta choice and cook according to the package instructions, typically 8-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, and set the pasta aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced or cubed chicken, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside, about 6-8 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Let it simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the creamy Cajun sauce and chicken. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce consistency.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning to your spice preference; add more for extra heat or less to keep it mild.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan gives the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to help thin out the sauce if needed without watering down the flavor.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta, quick weeknight dinner, five ingredient pasta
