Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken (Printable Recipe)
Juicy cajun-spiced chicken and pasta tossed in a creamy, zesty tomato sauce for comforting weeknight flavor.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 -
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 4 thin fillets
→ Pasta
02 -
200 grams rigatoni or similar short pasta
→ Sauce Base
03 -
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for frying
04 -
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
05 -
3 garlic cloves, minced
06 -
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
07 -
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
08 -
120 millilitres tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
09 -
240 millilitres heavy cream
10 -
120 millilitres reserved pasta water
→ Seasoning
11 -
1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
12 -
sea salt, to taste
→ Finish & Garnish
13 -
25 grams Parmesan cheese, finely grated
14 -
chili flakes, for garnish (optional)
15 -
fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
In a medium bowl, coat chicken fillets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Massage to ensure even coverage and set aside while other ingredients are prepared.
02 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until just under al dente, approximately 1 minute less than package instructions. Reserve 120 millilitres of pasta water before draining.
03 -
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add marinated chicken fillets and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
04 -
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add sliced red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes until just softened.
05 -
Stir in tomato sauce, heavy cream, reserved pasta water, and remaining 1/2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
06 -
Add cooked rigatoni and half of the sliced chicken to the sauce. Toss gently and cook for 1-2 minutes until pasta is tender and well coated.
07 -
Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt as needed to taste.
08 -
Divide pasta among bowls. Top with remaining chicken slices and garnish generously with chili flakes and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Adjust the level of heat by adding cayenne pepper to the sauce or increasing the amount of chili flakes during garnishing.
02 -
For optimal flavor, use freshly prepared Cajun seasoning to balance heat and saltiness.
03 -
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheat gently to preserve sauce texture.