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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta with Peppers

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A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring tender chicken, smoky Cajun spices, colorful bell peppers, and a rich creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful meal is ready in under 30 minutes and requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Dice 1 pound of chicken into bite-sized pieces. Slice 1 red and 1 green bell pepper thinly. Mince 3 garlic cloves and chop 1 medium onion finely. Measure out 8 ounces of uncooked penne pasta.
  2. Toss the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add the onion, garlic, and sliced bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring often to avoid burning the garlic.
  5. Add the uncooked pasta and 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine, making sure the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover with a lid.
  6. Simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the broth.
  7. Return the browned chicken to the pan. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half and stir gently to combine. Simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
  8. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning as needed.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions. Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered a bit longer. Use fresh bell peppers for best texture and flavor. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and use dairy-free Parmesan. Gluten-free pasta can be used without losing creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, Cajun seasoning, bell peppers, chicken pasta

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/creamy-one-pot-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-and-delicious-with-peppers/