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Creamy Cajun Chicken Alfredo Penne

Creamy Cajun Chicken Alfredo Penne - featured image
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A comforting and flavorful dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken with creamy Alfredo sauce and penne pasta, perfect for quick and easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta (regular or whole wheat)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat the chicken strips dry with a paper towel. Toss them with 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning until well coated.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add 3 tablespoons butter and let it melt. Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Slowly pour in 2 cups heavy cream, stirring constantly.
  6. Gradually add 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the cream mixture, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, thickening slightly.
  7. Add the cooked penne and Cajun chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently to coat. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  8. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and, if desired, a pinch of red pepper flakes. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Melt Parmesan slowly into warm cream to avoid clumping. Sear chicken first to lock in flavor. Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to control heat level. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, Alfredo penne, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, spicy chicken pasta

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-alfredo-penne-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/