Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Course: Lunch, DinnerDifficulty: Medium6
servings25
minutes25
minutes50
minutesA creamy and spicy pasta topped with crispy parmesan-crusted chicken!
Ingredients
16 oz box farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
3 tbsp butter
3 bell peppers (any colors)
1 purple onion, large
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1/4 bunch parsley
- Cajun Sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 cup chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cup parmesan, shredded
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, fresh ground
- Chicken/Breading
1 1/2 lb chicken breast, boneless/skinless
2 cups panko crumbs
1/2 cup AP flour
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, fresh ground
3 eggs, large
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp creole seasoning
1 cup vegetable oil
Directions
- In a large pot, cook the pasta al dente. Drain and set aside. (You can keep a small amount of pasta water to add to sauce if desired.)
- Slice the onion and bell peppers and set aside.
- Slice chicken breast in half (vertically) or pound if too thick.
- Mix together flour, panko, salt, parmesan, creole seasoning, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs together.
- Set up a dredging station. First place the chicken in the bread mixture, then eggs and back to the bread mixture one more time.
- Repeat until all of the chicken breasts are fully covered.
- In a dutch oven, heat up oil and shallow fry each breast until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Place on a cooling rack to ensure a crispy breading.
- Begin to saute the vegetables with the butter until soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Using the pot you cooked the pasta in, stir in pasta, veggies, and sauce mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the sauce had thickened.
- Slice the fried chicken, garnish with parsley, and enjoy!
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a delightful dish that perfectly blends the rich, bold flavors of Cajun seasoning with the creamy, comforting texture of pasta. This dish is a favorite among those who enjoy a little spice in their meals, coupled with the satisfying feel of a creamy pasta. The key to its unique taste lies in the Cajun seasoning, a blend typically made up of paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper, which gives the dish its signature heat.
To prepare Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, you start by cooking the chicken, seasoned generously with the Cajun spice mix. The chicken is sautéed in a skillet until golden and fully cooked, which infuses the oil with spicy flavors that later coat the pasta. The addition of bell peppers, onions, and garlic adds depth and a slight sweetness that balances the heat of the spices.
The pasta is then tossed into the skillet along with a creamy sauce made from heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. This mixture simmers until thickened, allowing the pasta to absorb all the spicy, savory, and creamy flavors. The final dish is often garnished with chopped parsley or scallions to add a fresh contrast to the rich and creamy pasta. Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is not just a meal; it’s an experience in bold flavors and creamy textures, perfect for a hearty dinner at home.
Thanks for reading!