Description
A bold, creamy, and spicy one-pan weeknight dinner that combines seared chicken, penne pasta, and a rich Cajun cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (e.g., Slap Ya Mama or Tony Chachere’s)
- 1 tablespoon oil (for searing)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers (red and green), sliced
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta. Do not rinse.
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and tent with foil.
- In the same skillet, add butter if needed. Reduce heat to medium. Sauté onions and bell peppers for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Slice the rested chicken into strips or cubes.
- Add chicken, drained pasta, and a splash of reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss to coat.
- Stir in parmesan cheese until melted. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Save the starchy pasta water to help emulsify the sauce. Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken to ensure a good crust. Let chicken rest before slicing to retain juices. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. For a vegetarian version, swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with chicken
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun chicken, penne pasta, one-pan dinner, creamy pasta, spicy chicken, weeknight dinner, easy recipes, comfort food