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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo with Penne

Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot meal combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken with creamy Alfredo sauce and penne pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) low sodium chicken broth
  • 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  • 1 cup (8 fl oz) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (about 100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the diced chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until well coated (about 5 minutes).
  2. Brown the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown but not fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: In the same pan, add more oil if needed, then add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add broth and pasta: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Add uncooked penne pasta and stir to submerge it fully. Bring to a boil.
  5. Simmer pasta: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is almost tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  6. Finish the sauce: Return browned chicken to the pan. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and stir gently. Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and sauce thickens. Season with salt, pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning if desired (about 5 minutes).
  7. Final touches: Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, stir gently, and serve immediately.

Notes

If sauce gets too thick, add a splash of broth to loosen it. Add Parmesan cheese off the heat or on very low heat to prevent curdling. Adjust Cajun seasoning gradually to control spice level. For leftovers, reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

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

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