Cajun Chicken Pasta is a one-pot pasta dish with a creamy, spicy sauce filled with veggies and chicken
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 35 minutesminutes
Total Time 50 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Author Meme
Ingredients
1teaspoonoilavocado, olive, or canola oil
1lb.chicken breast or tenders
1-½teaspoonno-salt added Cajun seasoningdivided
¾teaspoonsaltdivided
1largeonionchopped
2mediumbell pepperschopped
16oz.mushroomssliced
1tablespoonbutter
2clovesgarlicminced
6oz.dried pasta
⅔cupmilk2% or whole
3tablespooncream cheese
1oz.¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1lemon optional
2green onionschopped {optional}
Instructions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning and ¼ teaspoon salt over both sides of chicken. Add chicken to skillet and cook until browned on both sides {about 5 minutes per side}. Transfer chicken to a plate; set aside.
Add onions, bell peppers, and ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning to skillet, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to the plate with chicken.
Add mushrooms & butter to pan, and cook until mushrooms release their juices, about 7 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook. Drain and set aside.
Once mushrooms are cooked, add garlic to skillet. Stir for 30 seconds, then add reserved chicken, onions, bell peppers, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and remaining ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat to medium, and stir in milk, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Be sure to scrape up any bits that have gotten stuck to the bottom of the pan. {Your sauce will probably turn a creamish-brown color; this is good}.
Let sauce boil for about 2 minutes, stirring often. Add in cooked & drained pasta. Stir well to coat, and serve with some lemon wedges and green onions if desired.
Notes
*You could use 1 lb. shrimp in place of the chicken but the cooking time will be a lot shorter {in the first step, cook for less than 2 minutes per side}*Any pasta works in this recipe - I've used penne, gluten-free shells, and spaghetti. All were great*Use any color bell peppers. Any combination works.*If you don't have salt-free Cajun seasoning, omit the salt.*You don't have to use butter but it makes it really creamy & delicious. Omit it if you'd like.