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Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 99 reviews

This Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, creamy one-pot dish featuring tender chicken, penne pasta, and a medley of vegetables simmered in a spicy Cajun seasoned sauce. With a creamy blend of half and half and cream cheese, enhanced by fresh baby spinach and fire-roasted tomatoes, it’s a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, divided

Vegetables

  • 1 medium sweet onion, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 ounces fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
  • 14.5 ounces canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained

Pasta and Dairy

  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cups half and half
  • 2 ounces cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Chop the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and quick browning.
  2. Heat Skillet and Butter: Place a 12-inch skillet over medium heat and melt the butter, stirring to coat the pan evenly to prevent sticking.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add the chopped chicken into the skillet, sprinkle with half the Cajun seasoning, and cook, stirring often, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sprinkle with the remaining Cajun seasoning and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently to soften the vegetables.
  5. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, making sure not to burn it.
  6. Add Pasta and Liquids: Pour in the penne pasta, chicken broth, drained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and half and half. Stir everything well to combine.
  7. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover the skillet with a lid.
  8. Cook Pasta: Let it cook covered for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the liquid.
  9. Melt Cream Cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the cream cheese, mixing until it melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy.
  10. Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh baby spinach, remove the skillet from heat, cover, and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt gently.
  11. Serve: Stir the pasta well before serving to distribute the spinach and sauce evenly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, add more Cajun seasoning or include a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly or cook uncovered for a few minutes to evaporate extra liquid.
  • This dish can be made gluten-free by substituting the penne pasta with gluten-free pasta.
  • Use fresh spinach for best texture and flavor, but frozen spinach can be used if drained and thawed properly.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.

Keywords: Cajun Chicken Pasta, Creamy Cajun Pasta, One-Pot Pasta, Spicy Chicken Pasta, Cajun Seasoned Dinner

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe/