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30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta That’ll Blow Your Mind

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
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A creamy and flavorful Cajun chicken pasta with ranch seasoning, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
  • 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tsp dried parsley (or 2 tbsp chopped parsley)
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Season chicken: Toss chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 6–8 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
  4. Build flavor: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits.
  5. Make it creamy: Stir in heavy cream and ranch seasoning. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Add cheese: Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth.
  7. Toss: Add pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss until coated. Loosen with a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
  8. Finish: Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to taste.
  • Use fresh parsley for better flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy penne recipe, easy weeknight pasta, ranch seasoning pasta, creamy chicken pasta dinner

Find it online: https://mealcooked.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-dinner/