Cajun Chicken Pasta Peppers (Printable Version)

Tender Cajun chicken paired with colorful bell peppers and creamy pasta in a vibrant southern-inspired dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), sliced into strips
02 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta & Sauce

09 - 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
10 - 1 tablespoon butter
11 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
12 - 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/3 cup chicken broth
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
16 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for extra heat)

→ Garnish

17 - Fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Extra Parmesan cheese

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Toss the chicken strips with Cajun seasoning until well coated on all sides.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the bell peppers and red onion for 3–4 minutes until just tender. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce heat to medium.
06 - Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency.
07 - Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and chili flakes as desired.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce hugs every strand of pasta while the Cajun spices give it this irresistible warmth that builds gradually
  • Those colorful bell peppers add sweetness and crunch that perfectly balance the rich, spicy elements
  • Everything comes together in one skillet in under 40 minutes, making it feel fancy enough for guests but easy enough for Tuesday
02 -
  • The heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce wont be quite as luxurious
  • That reserved pasta water is liquid gold when it comes to adjusting the sauce consistency
  • Dont overcrowd the chicken in the pan or it will steam instead of getting that nice golden sear
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because it holds heat beautifully and creates amazing fond for deglazing
  • Prep all your ingredients before starting because this recipe moves quickly once you hit the stove

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