Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a fantastic substitute and often stay even juicier than breasts. The cooking time might be slightly shorter, so just keep an eye on the internal temperature and aim for 165°F.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with olive oil and replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version. The flavor profile will shift slightly, but it will still be delicious with all those Cajun spices!

What if I don't have all the spices for the homemade Cajun seasoning?

Don't worry! Store-bought Cajun seasoning works perfectly well. If you're missing just a few spices from the homemade blend, make it anyway with what you have – the result will still be tasty, just with a slightly different flavor profile.

Can I make this dish ahead of time for a dinner party?

You can prepare components ahead of time: season the chicken, slice the vegetables, and make the Cajun seasoning. However, I recommend cooking everything fresh for the best texture, especially the pasta. If necessary, you could cook the chicken and vegetables earlier in the day, refrigerate, then reheat gently while cooking fresh pasta just before serving.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Description

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful dish combining tender chicken, fresh veggies, and pasta all coated in a rich, creamy sauce with a spicy Cajun kick. It’s the perfect comfort food for dinner, packed with bold flavors, and makes for an irresistible meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 teaspoons cajun seasoning, divided

Pasta and Vegetables

1 pound linguine
3 medium multi-color bell peppers, sliced
1 red onion, sliced
8 ounces white or cremini mushrooms, sliced

Sauce

6 tablespoons butter, divided
2 cups heavy cream

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:
Rub each of the 4 chicken breasts generously with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Set aside while you bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
Cook the Chicken:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue cooking the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (approx. 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness). Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest.
Prepare the Vegetables and Pasta:
While cooking the chicken, slice the bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms. Simultaneously, cook the linguine in the boiling water as per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables:
Without cleaning the skillet, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and melt it over medium heat. Add the sliced vegetables (bell peppers, onion, and mushroom) to the skillet and sauté for 6-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Sprinkle the remaining 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning over the vegetables and sauté for an additional minute to enhance the flavor.
Create the Creamy Sauce:
Pour in 2 cups of heavy cream to the cooked vegetables and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir well to combine.
Combine the Ingredients:
Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing it to coat evenly with the creamy Cajun sauce. Make sure the vegetables are well-distributed throughout the pasta.
Serve:
Slice the cooked chicken breasts and place them on top of the pasta. Serve the dish hot, garnished with extra Cajun seasoning or fresh herbs, if desired.

Notes

Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend:
Combine the following ingredients to create your own Cajun seasoning mix:
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
For an extra layer of flavor, you can add grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
To make the dish spicier, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 710
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 1250mg
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 23g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 175mg